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Acute lower extremity running kinematics after a hamstring stretch [with consumer summary]
Davis Hammonds AL, Laudner KG, McCaw S, McLoda TA
Journal of Athletic Training 2012 Jan-Feb;47(1):5-14
clinical trial
3/10 [Eligibility criteria: No; Random allocation: No; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: No; Adequate follow-up: No; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

CONTEXT: Limited passive hamstring flexibility might affect kinematics, performance, and injury risk during running. Pre- activity static straight-leg raise stretching often is used to gain passive hamstring flexibility. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the acute effects of a single session of passive hamstring stretching on pelvic, hip, and knee kinematics during the swing phase of running. DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial. SETTING: Biomechanics research laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-four male (age 21.2 +/- 1.4 years) and female (age 21.3 +/- 2.0 years) recreational athletes. INTERVENTION(S): Participants performed treadmill running pretests and posttests at 70% of their age-predicted maximum heart rate. Pelvis, hip, and knee joint angles during the swing phase of 5 consecutive gait cycles were collected using a motion analysis system. Right and left hamstrings of the intervention group participants were passively stretched 3 times for 30 seconds in random order immediately after the pretest. Control group participants performed no stretching or movement between running sessions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Six 2-way analyses of variance to determine joint angle differences between groups at maximum hip flexion and maximum knee extension with an alpha level of 0.008. RESULTS: Flexibility increased between pretest and post- test in all participants (F[1,30] = 80.61, p < 0.001). Anterior pelvic tilt (F[1,30] = 0.73, p = 0.40), hip flexion (F[1,30] = 2.44, p = 0.13), and knee extension (F[1,30] = 0.06, p = 0.80) at maximum hip flexion were similar between groups throughout testing. Anterior pelvic tilt (F[1,30] = 0.69, p = 0.41), hip flexion (F[1,30] = 0.23, p = 0.64), and knee extension (F[1,30] = 3.38, p = 0.62) at maximum knee extension were similar between groups throughout testing. Men demonstrated greater anterior pelvic tilt than women at maximum knee extension (F[1,30] = 13.62, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A single session of 3 straight-leg raise hamstring stretches did not change pelvis, hip, or knee running kinematics.

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