Neurodynamic Sliders Promote Flexibility in Tight Hamstring Syndrome

The goal of this study is to explore the intervention effect of home-based neurodynamic slider program on hamstring flexibility. Fifty physically active male subjects will be randomly assigned to either performing a neurodynamic sliding technique (3x20 reps) or a static stretching protocol (3x30") on a daily basis for a 6-week period. Hamstring flexibility will be assessed by means of the Straight Leg Raise at baseline, immediately after the intervention and after 4 weeks follow up.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Range of Motion; Hamstring Injury; Neurodynamics
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Neurodynamics; Other: Static stretch

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 50
• Phase: Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Male

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• male
• aged between 18-30yrs
• recreationally/competitively active
• limited hamstring flexibility (Tight Hamstring Syndrome) (SLR≤75°)

Exclusion Criteria:

• a history of any musculotendinous hamstring injury in the previous year
• a history of neurological or orthopedic disorder affecting the lower extremities
• a history of lumbar disc herniation; or (4) a history of a cervical whiplash injury

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Neurodynamics	Other: Neurodynamics; Subjects in the neurodynamic group performed the 'Seated Straight Leg Slider' (SSLS) (Fig.1). To execute this sliding technique, subjects assumed a seated slump position (thoracic and lumbar flexion) which they needed to maintain throughout the exercise. This SSLS consisted of alternating movements towards knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion (increase of neural tension) combined with cervical extension (decrease of neural tension) on one hand, and knee flexion and ankle plantar flexion (decrease neural tension) combined with cervical flexion (increase of neural tension) on the other. During this 6-week period, each subject in this neurodynamic slider group was instructed to perform 3 sets of 20 repetitions on a daily basis for 6 weeks.
Active Comparator: Static stretch	Other: Static stretch; Subjects in the control group were instructed to perform a standard standing static stretch with the heel of the dominant leg taking support on a chair. Then they had to move the pelvis into anteversion, simultaneously inducing a forward lean of the trunk, until the clear sensation of hamstring stretch was perceived at the posterior aspect of the thigh. Again, the execution of the exercise was thoroughly explained and evaluated by the researchers and subjects sent home with a comprehensive instruction guide and supporting pictures. Each subject was instructed to do 3 repetitions of 30 second static stretches on a daily basis during the 6-week intervention.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Hamstring flexibility	Straight leg raise by means of an app based goniometer	at Baseline
Hamstring flexibility	Straight leg raise by means of an app based goniometer	6 weeks after intervention
Hamstring flexibility	Straight leg raise by means of an app based goniometer	4 weeks after retention period

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University Ghent

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 1, 2017
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 1, 2017
• Study Completion (Actual): July 1, 2018

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 4, 2018
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 6, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): December 15, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): December 15, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 6, 2022
• Last Verified: December 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: B670201630354

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No