The Effects of Soft Tissue Therapy and Exercise on Hamstring Tightness

The Effects of Myofascial Decompression and Neurodynamic Sliding on the Hamstring for Division I Track and Field Athletes With Hamstring Tightness

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of myofascial decompression (cupping) and neurodynamic sliding technique for the hamstring on Division I Track and Field athletes who complain of hamstring tightness. Research questions will be: how do these techniques affect hamstring range of motion and flexibility; isometric strength of the hamstring muscle; muscle activation; and rate of force development. The hypotheses of this study are that neurodynamic sliding will have an effect on all variables and myofascial decompression will only have an effect on range of motion.

Predisposing factors to hamstring injury include neural tension and muscle flexibility restrictions due to fascial adhesions. The sciatic nerve can produce symptoms of pain, decreased range of motion, and increased resting muscle tone when it is overstretched. The nerve can be overstretched after a hamstring injury and cause adhesions on the nerve and abnormal mechanosensitivity leading to perceived hamstring tightness.The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of myofascial decompression (cupping) and neurodynamic sliding technique for the hamstring on Division I Track and Field athletes who complain of hamstring tightness. Research questions will be: how do these techniques affect hamstring range of motion and flexibility; isometric strength of the hamstring muscle; muscle activation; and rate of force development. The hypotheses of this study are that neurodynamic sliding will have an effect on all variables and myofascial decompression will only have an effect on range of motion.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Must be in the Sprints, Jumps, or Multi (heptathlon, pentathlon, or decathlon) groups
• complain of hamstring tightness and/or injury in the last calendar year
• have less than 80⁰ for Active Knee Extension test.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Past history or current neurological disorders or orthopedic diseases
• Surgery of the lower extremity that involves an autograft on the tested leg
• Past history of hamstring surgery
• Receiving current treatment for a hamstring injury
• Received any form of myofascial therapy or neurodynamic techniques within the last week unhealed wounds
• active TB
• leukemia
• hemophilia
• thrombocytopenia
• fever
• influenza
• moderate/severe anemia
• high blood pressure
• cardiac conditions
• late stages of pregnancy