Static Stretching Exercises and Ultrasound Elastography Evaluation

Acute Effects of Static Stretching Exercises and the Mulligan Bent Leg Raise Technique on Hamstring Muscle Stiffness: an Ultrasound Elastography Evaluation

The aim of thid study was to compare two methods applied to increase the flexibility of the hamstring muscles and objectively evaluate changes in muscle stiffness using the two-dimensional shear wave ultrasound elastography (2D SWE) method. Thirty asymptomatic young individuals with hamstring shortness were divided into two groups by simple randomization. The Mulligan bent leg raise (BLR) technique was applied to the first group, and passive static stretching exercises to the second group. Hamstring flexibility was evaluated with the sit-and-reach test, and muscle stiffness with the 2D SWE method.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having a limitation of more than 25° in the active knee extension test
• Only engaged in recreational sports during the study period

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having a history of lower extremity injury within the last two years
• Not volunteering to participate in the study.