Participants will lie supine on a treatment table, with the non-test leg stabilized using a strap. Using a belt looped around the foot, the participant's ankle will be held in dorsiflexion, and passive hip flexion will be performed without knee flexion, stretching the hamstring to its maximal tension. The stretch will be held for 15 seconds and then relaxed. This cycle will be repeated 10 times per session.

Participants will lie prone on the treatment table with their feet hanging off the edge. While the therapist holds the Graston tool in the right hand, passive knee flexion and extension movements will be performed with the left hand. After non-allergenic jelly is applied, the GT5 will be used to perform the sweep technique at a 30° angle along the hamstring for 10 repetitions, with one knee flexion during each sweep. The fan technique will then be applied in a similar manner, with knee flexion at each proximal movement. Subsequently, the GT4 will be used at a 60° angle for 10 repetitions of each sweep and fan technique, incorporating knee flexion with each proximal pass. Finally, the GT3 will be used to perform the brush technique at a 60° angle for 10 repetitions with knee flexion.

Participants will lie prone on the treatment table with their feet hanging off the edge. While the therapist holds the Graston tool in the right hand, passive knee flexion and extension movements will be performed with the left hand. After non-allergenic jelly is applied, the GT5 will be used to perform the sweep technique at a 30° angle along the hamstring for 10 repetitions, with one knee flexion during each sweep. The fan technique will then be applied in a similar manner, with knee flexion at each proximal movement. Subsequently, the GT4 will be used at a 60° angle for 10 repetitions of each sweep and fan technique, incorporating knee flexion with each proximal pass. Finally, the GT3 will be used to perform the brush technique at a 60° angle for 10 repetitions with knee flexion.

Static stretching

Hamstring tightness will be assessed using the PostureScreen Mobile application, a validated tool for photographic posture and joint angle analysis. Participants will lie supine on a treatment table with the non-test leg stabilized using a strap. The test leg will be positioned with both the hip and knee at 90° flexion, adjusted with a stool and pillow as needed. The anatomical landmarks-the greater trochanter, lateral femoral condyle, and lateral malleolus-will be marked on the test leg. While the participant wears minimal clothing, a lateral photograph will be taken from 1.5 metres using a tripod-mounted smartphone. Participants will be instructed to extend their knee as much as possible with their ankle dorsiflexed. The application will calculate the knee extension angle from the marked points, and the range of motion will be recorded in degrees. The test will be repeated if compensatory movements are observed.

The site will be marked at the midpoint of the posterior thigh, halfway between the ischial tuberosity and the popliteal region. The skinfold will be grasped 1 cm from the marked point using the thumb and index finger, maintaining consistent pressure throughout the measurement. Skinfold thickness will be measured with a skinfold calliper (Holtain Ltd, Crymych, UK). The reading will be taken 3-4 seconds after applying the calliper and then recorded. At least two measurements will be taken with a one-minute interval between them. Results will be recorded in millimetres (mm).

A pressure algometer will be used to assess the sensitivity of the area where pain is felt and to obtain a quantitative measure of pressure perception. In the assessment, a digital algometer (Algometer Commander, Jtech Medical, 801-478, USA) will be used. For the measurement, the participant will be positioned in the prone position. The motor point on the participant's hamstring muscle will be marked with a pen. The calibrated algometer, with a probe tip of 1 cm² diameter, will be placed perpendicularly on the marked point of the hamstring muscle. The physiotherapist will gradually apply pressure, and pressure will be increased until the participant perceives pain. Upon the participant's signal indicating pain, the pressure will be stopped and the probe will be removed. This test will be repeated three times, and the average value will be recorded.