The Effects of Hamstring Stretching With and Without Neural Load on Flexibility, Maximum Isometric Strength and Tibial Nerve Pressure Pain Threshold

The Effects of Neural Load on Hamstring Stretching Upon Range of Motion, Maximum Isometric Strength and Tibial Nerve Pressure Pain Threshold in Asymptomatic Patients

The study will be carried out at the Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy of the University of Alcala. The study has been approved by the Animal Research and Experimentation Ethics Committee of the University of Alcalá. Healthy subjects will be recruited and divided into two groups randomly to perform a hamstring stretching program for two months.

One group will perform a stretch with neural load and the other without neural load, although both groups will stretch for the same amount of time, repetitions and subjective sensation.

Participants will be measured before and after performing their assigned stretch. Then, a new post-stretch measurement will be taken after two months, period during which the subjects will perform the stretching program on their own. Finally, subjects will be asked to quit the stretching program to take a final evaluation measurement after one month of follow-up.

The objective will be to evaluate the effects of stretching with and without neural load on hamstring flexibility (main variable), maximum isometric strength and tibial nerve pressure pain threshold.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy subjects who do not perform hamstring stretches with neural load in their daily training routine

Exclusion Criteria:

• Elite athletes competing or preparing for competition
• Lower limb surgery
• Hamstring injury in the last year
• Neurological, rheumatologic and/or orthopedic pathological history of lower limbs.
• Other comorbidities