IJCRR - 4(4), February, 2012
Pages: 42-48
Print Article
Download XML Download PDF
EFFECTIVENESS OF STRETCHING PROTOCOL IN IMPROVING HAMSTRING FLEXIBILITY IN FOOTBALL
PLAYERS
Author: Anoop .S, Fayaz R. K., Vijesh P.V.
Category: Healthcare
Abstract:Background:-Stretching to hamstring muscles to improve the flexibility is routine programme in football players. Hamstring tightness is one of the predisposing factors in producing soft tissue injuries to the lower limbs in these players. Among the different stretching techniques, passive static stretching is commonly used to treat this tightness. But nowadays eccentric stretching is performed to improve the flexibility of hamstring tightness. This study compares the effect of these two stretching techniques in improving flexibility in football players. Methods: Thirty (30) football players from first divisional club with unilateral hamstring tightness were divided into three groups of 10 subject each. Group\?A passive static stretching, Group \? B eccentric training and Group \? C combination of passive static stretching and eccentric training. Each group received intervention for a total of 6 weeks. The outcome measures were assessed by Sit and Reach Test. Result: The analysis of data indicated that improvement in hamstring tightness was seen in all three groups as measured by sit and reach test. But on comparison of these three groups, group C showed better result than the other two groups (p< 0.01) Conclusion: Combination of static stretching along with eccentric stretching is effective than static stretching alone in improving the hamstring flexibility in football players. decrease in the range of motion at the joint on which it acts 9M.uscle tightness usually results from inadequate or improper rehabilitation following sustained muscle injury or low levels of physical activity in individuals. 'Tight' hamstrings are proposed to be one of the main causes of hamstring strains. Hamstring tightness is defined as 30 degree loss of active knee extension with femur held at 90 degree of hip flexion 10 . Tight hamstring muscles increase the patellofemoral compressive force because of the increased passive resistance during the swing phase of ambulation and running 11 . Decreased hamstring flexibility is a risk factor for development of patellar tendinopathy and pattello-femoral pain. Hamstring tightness has been reported to be the cause of posterior pelvic tilting, reduced lumbar lordosis and exacerbation of existing pain in patients with low back pain 12 . Static stretching is one of the safest and most commonly performed stretching methods used to increase muscle length 13 . This type of stretch is applied slowly and gradually at a relatively constant force to avoid eliciting a stretch reflex. The literature supports that a static stretch of 30 seconds at a frequency of 3 repeated stretches per single session is sufficient to increase muscle length 14. It is a commonly used method of stretching in which soft tissues are elongated just apart the point of tissue resistance and then held in the lengthened position with a sustained stretch force over a period of time. Eccentric training that allows the muscle to elongate naturally and in its relaxed state, this elongation is achieved by having the subjects eccentrically contract the antagonist muscle to move the joint through the full available range in slow controlled manner to stretch the agonist muscle group 15. Eccentric resistance exercise may prevent injury to the muscle tendon unit by improving the muscle's ability to absorb more energy before failing. It is a better training strategy to improve the flexibility and also able to increase in strength and protect against muscle damage 16 . To prescribe suitable rehabilitative measures, it is necessary to know the effects of stretching on range of motion, but also to learn about the effects of stretching and eccentric training on muscle flexibility. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to combine the effect of passive static stretching along with eccentric training to improve flexibility of hamstrings. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty young male football players randomly selected from various professional clubs in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala state in India were selected for the study. The need and significance of the study was explained to the players and consent form for participation was obtained prior to data collection. The primary inclusion criteria was the presence of unilateral Knee Extension Angle (KEA) >200 . Subjects who had an acute or chronic low back pain, hamstring tightness with pain, soft tissue injury, fracture, arthritis and inflammatory joint conditions were excluded. The ethical clearance was obtained from the Calicut University and study was conducted from January 2010 to September 2010. Data Collection Procedure
Prior to study a consent letter was obtained from team management in order to conduct the study. Consent was obtained from 30 participants agreeing to participate in the study and they were screened for inclusion and exclusion criteria. The subjects were divided in to three groups, Group A (Passive Static Stretching), Group B (Eccentric training) and Group C (Combined Protocol of passive static stretching and eccentric training). They were grouped by randomized design. Pretest measurements were taken using goniometry for Knee Extension Angle (KEA) and sit and reach test for hamstrings flexibility prior to the stretching. Each group undergone prescribed stretching method according to the protocol specified for 6 weeks. The post test measurements were obtained after 6 weeks.
Keywords: Hamstring flexibility, Passive static stretching, Eccentric training.
Full Text:
INTRODUCTION
Football is considered by many to be the most popular sport in the world and is played by at least 200 million licensed players 1 . Physiologically, football game is characterized as a high-intensity, intermittent, non-contiguous exercise 2 . About one-fourth of football injuries are musculoskeletal lesions mainly located in the thigh (17%) and the groin (8%) 3 . A large percentage of the game is performed at maximum speed, and the functional activities include accelerations, decelerations, jumping, cutting, pivoting, turning, and kicking of the ball 4 . It has been found that as many as 68% to 88% of all football injuries occur in the lower extremities 5 . Poor flexibility of hamstrings is one of the pre disposing factor for injury of this muscle group 6 . Muscular flexibility is an important aspect of normal human function. Limited flexibility has been shown to predispose a person to several musculoskeletal overuse injuries and significantly affect a person‘s level of function 7 . Hamstring plays an important role in managing the stride length during running, if the stride length is longer, then fewer contraction cycles are needed to cover the same distance. This equates to a conservation of energy, allowing for greater all longer performance prior to fatigue and a reduction in chance of injury 8 . Muscle tightness is caused by a decrease in the ability of the muscle to deform, resulting in a decrease in the range of motion at the joint on which it acts 9M.uscle tightness usually results from inadequate or improper rehabilitation following sustained muscle injury or low levels of physical activity in individuals. 'Tight' hamstrings are proposed to be one of the main causes of hamstring strains. Hamstring tightness is defined as 30 degree loss of active knee extension with femur held at 90 degree of hip flexion 10 . Tight hamstring muscles increase the patellofemoral compressive force because of the increased passive resistance during the swing phase of ambulation and running 11 . Decreased hamstring flexibility is a risk factor for development of patellar tendinopathy and pattello-femoral pain. Hamstring tightness has been reported to be the cause of posterior pelvic tilting, reduced lumbar lordosis and exacerbation of existing pain in patients with low back pain 12 . Static stretching is one of the safest and most commonly performed stretching methods used to increase muscle length 13 . This type of stretch is applied slowly and gradually at a relatively constant force to avoid eliciting a stretch reflex. The literature supports that a static stretch of 30 seconds at a frequency of 3 repeated stretches per single session is sufficient to increase muscle length 14. It is a commonly used method of stretching in which soft tissues are elongated just apart the point of tissue resistance and then held in the lengthened position with a sustained stretch force over a period of time. Eccentric training that allows the muscle to elongate naturally and in its relaxed state, this elongation is achieved by having the subjects eccentrically contract the antagonist muscle to move the joint through the full available range in slow controlled manner to stretch the agonist muscle group 15. Eccentric resistance exercise may prevent injury to the muscle tendon unit by improving the muscle‘s ability to absorb more energy before failing. It is a better training strategy to improve the flexibility and also able to increase in strength and protect against muscle damage 16 . To prescribe suitable rehabilitative measures, it is necessary to know the effects of stretching on range of motion, but also to learn about the effects of stretching and eccentric training on muscle flexibility. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to combine the effect of passive static stretching along with eccentric training to improve flexibility of hamstrings.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Thirty young male football players randomly selected from various professional clubs in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala state in India were selected for the study. The need and significance of the study was explained to the players and consent form for participation was obtained prior to data collection. The primary inclusion criteria was the presence of unilateral Knee Extension Angle (KEA) >200 . Subjects who had an acute or chronic low back pain, hamstring tightness with pain, soft tissue injury, fracture, arthritis and inflammatory joint conditions were excluded. The ethical clearance was obtained from the Calicut University and study was conducted from January 2010 to September 2010.
Data Collection Procedure
Prior to study a consent letter was obtained from team management in order to conduct the study. Consent was obtained from 30 participants agreeing to participate in the study and they were screened for inclusion and exclusion criteria. The subjects were divided in to three groups, Group A (Passive Static Stretching), Group B (Eccentric training) and Group C (Combined Protocol of passive static stretching and eccentric training). They were grouped by randomized design. Pretest measurements were taken using goniometry for Knee Extension Angle (KEA) and sit and reach test for hamstrings flexibility prior to the stretching. Each group undergone prescribed stretching method according to the protocol specified for 6 weeks. The post test measurements were obtained after 6 weeks.
Passive static stretching protocol.
1. Subject is positioned supine on a treatment plinth and instructed to relax as the examiner performed the stretch.
2. To stretch the right and left hamstrings, the hip was passively flexed to 90 and the knee passively extended until the subject report a strong but tolerable stretch.
3. The contra lateral extremity remained flat on the plinth.
4. The Static stretch has to be maintained for 30 seconds at a frequency of 3 repeated stretches per single session with 10 seconds rest interval between each stretch.
Eccentric training protocol
1. The subject lay supine with the contra lateral leg fully extended.
2. A piece of (3 feet) (0.91-m) black Theraband was wrapped around the heel and the subject held the ends of theraband in each hand.
3. Subject was instructed to keep the treatment knee locked in full extension and the hip in neutral internal and external rotation throughout the entire activity.
4. The subject was then instructed to bring the treatment leg into full flexion by pulling on the theraband attached to the foot with both the arms making sure the knee remained locked in full extension at all times.
5. As the subject pulled the hip in to full flexion with the arms, he was instructed to simultaneously resist the hip flexion by eccentrically contracting the hamstrings muscle during the entire range of motion of hip flexion.
6. The subject was instructed to provide sufficient resistance with the arms to overcome the eccentric activity of hamstring muscle.
7. The entire hip flexion took approximately five seconds to complete.
8. Then the extremity was gently lowered to ground by the subjects arm.
9. This procedure was repeated 6 times with no rest between repetitions, thereby providing a total of 30 seconds of stretching at the end range.
10. Perform three sessions in a week for 6 week
Combined protocol for passive static stretching and eccentric training
Subject is positioned supine on a treatment plinth and instructed to relax as the examiner performed the stretch.
1. To stretch the right and left hamstrings, the hip was passively flexed to 90 and the knee passively extended until the subject reports a strong but tolerable stretch.
2. The contra lateral extremity remained flat on the plinth.
3. The Static stretch has to be maintained for 30 seconds at a frequency of 3 repeated stretches per single session with 10 seconds rest interval between each stretch.
4. The subject lay supine with the contra lateral leg fully extended.
5. A piece of (3 feet) (0.91-m) black theraband was wrapped around the heel and the subject held the ends of theraband in each hand.
6. Subject was instructed to keep the treatment knee locked in full extension and the hip in neutral internal and external rotation throughout the entire activity.
7. The subject was then instructed to bring the treatment leg into full flexion by pulling on the theraband attached to the foot with both arms, making sure the knee remained locked in full extension at all times.
8. As the subject pulled the hip in to full flexion with the arms, he was instructed to simultaneously resist the hip flexion by eccentrically contracting the hamstrings muscle during the entire range of motion of hip flexion.
9. The Subject was instructed to provide sufficient resistance with the arms to overcome the eccentric activity of hamstring muscle.
10. The entire hip flexion took approximately five seconds to complete.
11. Then the extremity was gently lowered to ground by the subjects arm.
12. This procedure was repeated 6 times with no rest between repetitions, thereby providing a total of 30 seconds of stretching at the end range.
13. Perform three sessions in a week for 6 week
Outcome Measure:
Sit and reach test The test involves sitting on the floor with back and head against the wall, legs stretched out straight ahead. Shoes are removed and the sole of feet are placed flat against the box. Both knees should be locked and pressed flat on the floor with the palms facing downwards and the hands on top of each other side by side. Subject reaches forward along the measuring line as far as possible. Ensure that the hands remain level at the same one reaching for the forward than the other. After some practice reaches, the subject reaches out and holds the position as for at one- two seconds while the distance is recorded .Make sure there are no jerky movements
Data Analysis Data was analyzed using SPSS version 17.0.for windows with t-test, ANOVA and post hoc LSD test. The significance level was kept at p0.001). On post hoc analysis using LSD indicated that the difference in scores between group A and C were statistically significant. Also, group B and C showed significant difference in their scores. On comparing the mean post test scores of sit and reach test, it can be said that combination of passive stretching along with eccentric test is effective in improving hamstring flexibility in football players. Space for Table II: Space for Table III:
RESULTS
Independent t-test values indicated significant increase in hamstrings flexibility as measured by sit and reach test in subjects after the treatment in all the three groups ; group Apassive static stretching (p≤ .001), group Beccentric training (p ≤0.001) and for group C - combination of passive static stretching along with eccentric training (p ≤ 0.001).
Space for Table I: Space for Figure I: On comparing the post treatment values of sit and reach scores of the three groups using ANOVA, it evident that there exists a difference between these three groups (F2,27=8.57,p>0.001). On post hoc analysis using LSD indicated that the difference in scores between group A and C were statistically significant. Also, group B and C showed significant difference in their scores. On comparing the mean post test scores of sit and reach test, it can be said that combination of passive stretching along with eccentric test is effective in improving hamstring flexibility in football players. Space for Table II: Space for Table III:
DISCUSSION
The reviews of existing literature in the role regarding the different techniques in improving hamstring flexibility reveals a confusing picture so as to which technique out of eccentric training and passive static stretching is best for the purpose. So the current study was undertaken to investigate the effectiveness of a combined protocol of eccentric training along with passive static stretching on hamstring flexibility in football players. A comparison of the pre-post test values of sit and reach test for the groups shows that there is significant improvement in all the three groups. Thus it may be said that these techniques are effective individually in improving hamstrings flexibility in football players. But comparing the effectiveness among the three groups, the individuals who got combination of passive static stretch and eccentric stretch experienced a better flexibility in their hamstring muscles than the players who received the these techniques individually. Thus it is evident from this study that the combination of stretching techniques of static and eccentric type is ideal in improving the hamstring flexibility in football players. The increase in range of motion and flexibility often reported after the combination of stretching techniques involves the biomechanical, neurological and molecular mechanisms. The biological and molecular consequences of the application of stretch to muscle appear to be known. Force transmission is likely to occur through a chain of proteinprotein interactions and may lead to a chain of biological signals and ultimately to myofibrillogenesis. The potential mechanisms may be the phosphorylation of integral membrane proteins and associated cytoskeletal molecules, the secretion of selective growth factors, regulated by an autocrine or paracrine mechanism, and changes in the intracellular ion flux through stretch-activated ion channels. The scientific basis of the combination of stretching techniques may actually be found in the cellular and molecular adaptive mechanisms of a muscle fiber. When a substance is exposed to a passive force (stretch), it will deform according to its material properties, and when a relatively low force is sustained for a long period of time, most materials will deform in a time-dependent manner. This creep property is a result of the visco-elastic properties of the material. Nearly all tissues exhibit this property including muscles. The mechanism behind the increased flexibility with eccentric hamstring activity through the full range of motion is unclear. Skeletal muscle has a large adaptation potential induced by eccentric contraction and morphological changes are related to addition of sarcomeres in series16 and this could be an reason in improvement of hamstring flexibility after eccentric stretching. Thus whatever may be biomechanical explanations for the improvements in the hamstring flexibility following static and eccentric stretch, hamstring muscle flexibility less than 20? in football players is serious matter of concern as it can lead to significantly higher risk for sports injuries. To overcome this, these players should be encouraged to stretch the hamstring muscles both statically and eccentrically as routine event along with the warm up sections of practices. Even though the study was done as methodologically sound as possible, certain limitations couldn‘t avoided. The study was done on young male football players and the sample size was small. Also only one outcome measurement was taken. Hence authors suggest that further studies can be done on female population and also on other sports rather than football with larger sample size and additional outcome measurements..
CONCLUSION
A combined protocol of passive static stretching and eccentric training can be advocated for improving the hamstrings flexibility in football players thereby preventing the tightness related muscle injuries for the players.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Authors acknowledge the immense help received from the scholars whose articles are cited and included in references of this manuscript. The authors are also grateful to authors / editors / publishers of all those articles, journals and books from where the literature for this article has been reviewed and discusse
References:
1. Derk T, Witvroue E, Danneels L and Asselman P. Muscle flexibility as a risk factor for developing muscle injuries in male professional soccer players.The American Journal of Sports Medicine 2003;31(1):78-80
2. Tyler TF, Nicholas SJ and Campbell RJ.The association of hip strength and flexibility with the incidence of adductor muscle strains in professional ice hockey players. Am J Sports Med 2001;29(3):124-128.
3. Engebertesen A H and Mykelebust G. Intrinsic risk factors for hamstring injuries among male soccer players. The American J of Sports Med 2010;38:68-73
4. Less A and Nolan L. The biomechanics of soccer; A review. J Sports Sci 1998;16: 211-234 5. Chomiak J, Junge A and Peterson L.Severe injuries in football players influencing factors. AmJ Sports Med 2000;28:58-68
6. Clanton T O and Coupe K J. Hamstring strains in athletes diagnosis and treatment.The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 1998;6(4):237-239
7. Bandy WD and Irion JM. The effects of time and frequency of static stretching on flexibility of hamstring muscle. J Sports Physical Therapy 1997; 77:1096-1098
8. Barlow A et al. Effect of massage of the hamstring muscle group on performance of the sit and reach test. Br J Sports Med 2004; 38(3):349-351
9. Zachezeweski JE, Sally RW and Barnes MR J. Improving flexibility in physical Therapy. Lippincott Co, Philadelphia 1989.
10. Gajdosij RL and Lusin G. Hamstring muscle tightness. Physical Therapy 2005;63:1083-1090 11. Dvorak J, Junge A and Chomiak J. Risk factors analysis for injuries in football players. Am J Sports Med 2000;28:69-74.
12. Wendell L. Unresolved controversies in back management of Orthopaedic and Sports. Physical Therapy 1988;9(7):1213- 1216.
13. Weijer CD and Gorniak H. The effect of static stretch and warm up exercise on hamstring length over the course of 24 hours. Journal of Orthopedic Sports Physical Therapy 2003;33(12):727-732.
14. Bandy WD, Iron JM and Briggler M. Effect of time on static stretching and dynamic ROM on the flexibility of hamstring muscle. J of Ortho Spots Physical Therapy 1996;27(4):295-300.
15. Russell TN and William DB. Eccentric Training and Static Stretching Improve Hamstring Flexibility of High School Males. Journal of Athletic Training 2004;39:254-258
16. Daniel J and Micheal K. The risk of sports injuries.Br J Sports Med 2007;34:384-392.
|