Acute effects of three different stretching techniques on hamstring flexibility in professional football players

Authors

Erkan Erol, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University, Tokat, TurkeyFollow
Ramazan Yıldız, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Erzurum Technical University, Erzurum, Turkey
Ayşe Yıldız, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Erzurum Technical University, Erzurum, Turkey
Fatih Emre Doğan, Trabzonspor Football Club, Trabzon, Turkey
Bülent Elbasan, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey

Abstract

Introduction: Hamstring injuries are common in physically active people and athletes. Lack of hamstring flexibility is the one of the most important characteristics of hamstring injuries in athletes. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of three different stretching techniques on hamstring flexibility in professional football players. Materials and Methods: Fifty-five male football players between the ages of 18–20 years old were involved in the study. The participants were divided into 3 groups: static stretching, neuromobilization and Mulligan traction straight leg raise (TSLR), respectively. Each participant’s dominant lower extremity was assessed with a straight leg raise test (SLR) using a goniometer before and after the intervention. Results: There was a significant difference in the SLR range of motion before and after the intervention in all groups. There was no difference in the range of SLR between the groups at the beginning and at the end. However, the increase in the SLR range of motion was significantly higher in the Mulligan TSLR group. Conclusions: It was concluded that all 3 stretching techniques are effective in increasing hamstring flexibility in football players. However, the Mulligan TSLR technique could provide a greater increase in the range of motion than other techniques.

Recommended Citation

Erol E, Yildiz R, Yildiz A, Dogan FE, Elbasan B. Acute effects of three different stretching techniques on hamstring flexibility in professional football players. Balt J Health Phys Act. 2023;15(2):Article8. https://doi.org/10.29359/BJHPA.15.2.08

Author ORCID Identifier

Erkan EROL ORCID 0000-0002-0087-1821

Ramazan YILDIZ ORCID 0000-0002-8007-7854

Ayşe YILDIZ ORCID 0000-0002-1101-1069

Bülent ELBASAN ORCID 0000-0001-8714-0214

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.