Middle Eastern Journal of Disability Studies
Middle Eastern Journal of Disability Studies
Volume 16 - Vol 16, 2026
MEJDS (2026) 16: 4 |
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Ethics code: IR-KHU.KRC.1000.334
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Babaei Baghbadrani N, Shojaedin S S, Sadeghi H. Evaluating a Stretching Program Period Combined with Guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine and Confusion on Flexibility, Muscle Strength, and Isometric Power of Shortened Hamstring Muscles in Women. MEJDS 2026; 16 :4-4
URL: http://jdisabilstud.org/article-1-3504-en.html
URL: http://jdisabilstud.org/article-1-3504-en.html
1- Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
2- Biomechanics and Sport Injuries Department, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
2- Biomechanics and Sport Injuries Department, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (336 Views)
Background & Objectives: Insufficient movement leads to numerous issues, particularly reduced flexibility among those who are not active enough. In contrast, individuals who maintain adequate activity levels have greater flexibility than those who are inactive. Additionally, sports injuries are an inseparable part of physical activities, and significant efforts are made to prevent them. Failure to prevent these injuries can lead to various abnormalities in individuals. During daily and sporting activities, individuals sustain injuries of varying severity, with some experiencing them more frequently than others. This condition not only results in loss of time but also impairs other natural functions of the individual, leads to inactivity, and imposes high treatment costs on both the individual and society. Muscle injuries, especially hamstring injuries in the lower limbs, are common and frequently occur during sports activities, partly due to the dual–jointed nature of this muscle. This research aims to evaluate the stretching program period according to the Guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine and to examine confusion regarding flexibility, muscle length, and isometric strength of a shortened hamstring muscle in women.
Methods: The present quasi–experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design. A total of 30 women with hamstring shortness were selected based on Straight Leg Raise (SLR) Test scores and then randomly divided into two groups: a control group (15 participants) and an experimental group (15 participants). The inclusion criteria were as follows: the study subjects were women aged 18 to 40 years; presence of hamstring shortness, defined as an SLR test angle less than 80 degrees; healthy individuals with no lower limb or spinal surgery in the last year; absence of other lower limb deformities; and sedentary individuals with no history of athletic activity during the study or in the two months preceding the intervention programs. The exclusion criteria for the subjects from the study included the presence of any injury or abnormality affecting the research process, participation in any sports and rehabilitation activities in the past 6 months (for example, sports activities, massage, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, etc.), the presence of osteoarthritis in the hip and knee joints, ligamentous instability in the knee, pelvic inequality and other lower limb abnormalities, the presence of any fractures, dislocations and subluxations in the hip and knee joints in the past year, and inflammatory diseases in the muscles and joints. Participants in the experimental group underwent stretching and perturbation interventions 3 times a week for 6 weeks, while the control group received no therapeutic intervention other than initial warm–up exercises. At the beginning and end of the training period, flexibility and hamstring muscle length were evaluated using the SLR test, and isometric muscle strength was assessed with a hand–held dynamometer. Descriptive statistics were utilized to calculate the mean, standard deviation, range of variation, age, height, weight, and body mass index of the participants and to report the measurement results of both groups. To analyze the data, an independent t test and analysis of covariance were used at a significance level of 0.05 in SPSS version 26.
Results: The results of the analysis of covariance showed that a period of stretching program with the guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine and confusion had a significant effect on increasing flexibility (p<0.001), muscle length (p<0.001), and isometric strength of the hamstring muscle (p<0.001) in the experimental group. At the same time, these changes were not significant in the control group (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Given the effectiveness of a stretching program with the Guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine and the confusion regarding flexibility, muscle length, and isometric strength of the shortened hamstring muscle in women, therapists are advised to consider these exercises when developing exercise programs.
Methods: The present quasi–experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design. A total of 30 women with hamstring shortness were selected based on Straight Leg Raise (SLR) Test scores and then randomly divided into two groups: a control group (15 participants) and an experimental group (15 participants). The inclusion criteria were as follows: the study subjects were women aged 18 to 40 years; presence of hamstring shortness, defined as an SLR test angle less than 80 degrees; healthy individuals with no lower limb or spinal surgery in the last year; absence of other lower limb deformities; and sedentary individuals with no history of athletic activity during the study or in the two months preceding the intervention programs. The exclusion criteria for the subjects from the study included the presence of any injury or abnormality affecting the research process, participation in any sports and rehabilitation activities in the past 6 months (for example, sports activities, massage, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, etc.), the presence of osteoarthritis in the hip and knee joints, ligamentous instability in the knee, pelvic inequality and other lower limb abnormalities, the presence of any fractures, dislocations and subluxations in the hip and knee joints in the past year, and inflammatory diseases in the muscles and joints. Participants in the experimental group underwent stretching and perturbation interventions 3 times a week for 6 weeks, while the control group received no therapeutic intervention other than initial warm–up exercises. At the beginning and end of the training period, flexibility and hamstring muscle length were evaluated using the SLR test, and isometric muscle strength was assessed with a hand–held dynamometer. Descriptive statistics were utilized to calculate the mean, standard deviation, range of variation, age, height, weight, and body mass index of the participants and to report the measurement results of both groups. To analyze the data, an independent t test and analysis of covariance were used at a significance level of 0.05 in SPSS version 26.
Results: The results of the analysis of covariance showed that a period of stretching program with the guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine and confusion had a significant effect on increasing flexibility (p<0.001), muscle length (p<0.001), and isometric strength of the hamstring muscle (p<0.001) in the experimental group. At the same time, these changes were not significant in the control group (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Given the effectiveness of a stretching program with the Guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine and the confusion regarding flexibility, muscle length, and isometric strength of the shortened hamstring muscle in women, therapists are advised to consider these exercises when developing exercise programs.
Type of Study: Original Research Article |
Subject:
Rehabilitation
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