Efficacy of Different Stretching Techniques on Hamstring Muscle Tightness in IT Professionals

NCT ID: NCT06586554

Last Updated: 2024-09-19

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 30 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2020-01-21
• Study Completion Date: 2020-12-23

Brief Summary

Brief Summary

This clinical trial aims to learn if static stretching and myofascial release work to improve hamstring muscle tightness and lower limb functional ability among IT professionals. It will also learn about the superiority of one maneuver over another. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does static stretching and myofascial release work to improve hamstring muscle tightness and lower limb functional ability among IT professionals?
• Which stretching maneuver is more effective in reducing hamstring muscle tightness and improving the lower limb functional ability among IT professionals? Researchers will compare static stretching to myofascial release to see if both work equally or are superior to each other in reducing hamstring muscle tightness and improving lower limb functional ability among IT professionals.

Participants will:

• Both groups received an application of hot packs for 20-25mins at the posterior aspect of the thigh.
• In addition, group 1 performed static stretching of the hamstring muscles for thirty seconds, with a thirty-second gap, repeating the same maneuver three times/day for five days/week for three weeks.
• Group 2 received a myofascial release. This maneuver involves the proper positioning of the practitioner's hands on both sides of the hamstrings, pulling them in opposite directions with firm pressure, and holding the stretch for three to five minutes each stretch, completing five to seven stretches per session with a gap of two minutes between each stretch, and continued five sessions per week for three weeks.

Detailed Description

Tightness in the hamstring muscles presents a considerable issue for many people, especially those in professions requiring long sitting periods, such as IT workers. This group often experiences a high rate of hamstring tightness because their jobs involve extended sitting and minimal physical movement. As a result, IT professionals may suffer from limited knee extension and reduced functionality, leading to discomfort and lower productivity at work and in daily activities.

The impact of hamstring tightness on knee extension and overall function has been extensively studied across various populations. Limited knee extension, commonly associated with hamstring tightness, can disrupt standard walking patterns and affect joint stability, raising the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, particularly around the knee. Additionally, the reduced functional ability caused by hamstring tightness can negatively influence daily tasks, job performance, and overall quality of life.

Conditions

Hamstring Tightness; Hamstring Flexibility

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

SS Group

SS group received a static stretching on the hamstring muscle

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Static stretching

Intervention Type: OTHER

The SS group received static stretching, which was applied with gentle and firm pressure while pulling opposite the hamstring muscle contraction.

MFR Group

The MFR group received a myofascial release on the hamstring muscle

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Myofascial release

Intervention Type: OTHER

Myofascial release is applied with cross-handed stretches over hamstring muscle

Interventions

Static stretching

The SS group received static stretching, which was applied with gentle and firm pressure while pulling opposite the hamstring muscle contraction.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Myofascial release

Myofascial release is applied with cross-handed stretches over hamstring muscle

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• IT professionals
• males and females)
• aged between 30 and 45 years
• working in passive roles for at least 6 hours a day, and
• reported symptoms of hamstring muscle tightness such as decreased flexibility and discomfort during prolonged sitting, and found positive active knee extension test.

Exclusion Criteria

• History of musculoskeletal injuries or neurological disorders affecting lower limb function, and
• showed non-cooperation.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 30 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 45 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

King Saud University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

AMIR IQBAL

Researcher

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

AMIR IQBAL, MPT

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

King Saud University

Locations

King Saud University

Riyadh, Ar-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Countries

Saudi Arabia

Other Identifiers

RRC-2020-04

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id