Hamstring extensibility differences among elite adolescent and young dancers of different dance styles and non-dancers

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.9237 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. e9237

Author(s):

Raquel Vaquero-Cristóbal ◽

Patricia Molina-Castillo ◽

Pedro A. López-Miñarro ◽

Mario Albaladejo-Saura ◽

Francisco Esparza-Ros

Keyword(s):

Pelvic Tilt ◽

Modern Dance ◽

Trunk Flexion ◽

Ballet Dancers ◽

Long Term Changes ◽

Professional Dance ◽

Modern Dancers ◽

Hip Flexion ◽

Straight Leg Raise

Background Hamstrings have been analyzed extensively due to their tendency to shorten and their effect in the lumbo-pelvic dynamics and the sagittal position of the spine in trunk flexion with extended knees positions. It has been demonstrated that practicing a certain sport results in long-term changes in hamstring extensibility. Despite this, adequate extensibility of the hamstring musculature is essential for the dancer’s performance. Several studies have found differences in the extensibility of the hamstrings depending on the dance style, but none have compared ballet, Spanish dance and modern dance. The purpose of the present research was to analyze the differences in hamstring extensibility among professional dance students based on dance style practiced and non-dancers. Methods The sample was comprised of 210 students from the Professional Dance Conservatory (70 for ballet, 70 for Spanish dance and 70 for modern dance) and 70 non-dancers. For the assessment of hamstring extensibility, the angle in the passive and active straight leg raise (PSLR and ASLR, respectively) test, and the scores of the pelvic tilt in sit-and-reach (SR) test and the toe-touch (TT) test were randomly conducted. Results The results showed significant differences for all the tests according to group (p < 0.001). In the PSLR and ASLR test, for both legs, and in the pelvic tilt in the SR test, the ballet dancers showed greater ranges of hamstring extensibility than the modern dancers and Spanish dancers (p ≤ 0.001). In the distance in the SR test and in the pelvic tilt in the TT test, the ballet dancers obtained higher values than the Spanish dancers (p = 0.004 and p = 0.003, respectively). The modern dancers showed higher ranges of hip flexion than the Spanish dancers in the ASLR test for both legs and in the pelvic tilt in the SR test (p from 0.007 to <0.001). Dancers showed significantly higher hamstring extensibility than non-dancers in all the tests (p < 0.001). Conclusions The systematic practice of dance, regardless of the style, seems to lead to high ranges of hamstring extensibility. Ballet dancers have the greatest hamstring extensibility.

Download Full-text

Influence of Hamstring Muscles Extensibility on Spinal Curvatures and Pelvic Tilt in Highly Trained Cyclists

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/v10078-011-0035-8 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 15-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

José Muyor ◽

Fernando Alacid ◽

Pedro López-Miñarro

Keyword(s):

Pelvic Tilt ◽

Standing Position ◽

Hand Position ◽

Trunk Flexion ◽

Anova Analysis ◽

Spinal Curvatures ◽

Hamstring Muscles ◽

Straight Leg Raise ◽

Post Hoc ◽

Mouse System

Influence of Hamstring Muscles Extensibility on Spinal Curvatures and Pelvic Tilt in Highly Trained CyclistsThe purpose of this study was to determine the influence of hamstring muscles extensibility in standing, maximal trunk flexion with knees extended and on the bicycle in lower handlebar-hands position of highly trained cyclists. Ninety-six cyclists were recruited for the study (mean ± SD, age: 30.36 ± 5.98 years). Sagittal spinal curvatures and pelvic tilt were measured in the standing position, maximal trunk flexion with knees extended (sit-and-reach test) and while sitting on a bicycle in lower handlebar-hand position using a Spinal Mouse system. Hamstring muscles extensibility was determined in both legs by passive straight leg raise test (PSLR). The sample was divided into three groups according to PSLR angle: (1) reduced extensibility (PSLR < 80º; n = 30), (2) moderate hamstring extensibility group (PSLR = 80º; - 90º; n = 35), and (3) high hamstring extensibility (PSLR = > 90º; n = 31). ANOVA analysis showed significant differences among groups for thoracic (p < 0.001) and pelvic tilt (p < 0.001) angles in the sit-andreach test. No differences were found between groups for standing and on the bicycle position. Post hoc analysis showed significant differences in all pairwise comparisons for thoracic angle (p < 0.01) and pelvic angle (p < 0.001) in the sit-and-reach test. No differences were found in lumbar angle in any posture. In conclusion, the hamstring muscles extensibility influence the thoracic and pelvic postures when maximal trunk flexion with knees extended is performed, but not when cyclists are seated on their bicycles

Download Full-text

Acute Lower Extremity Running Kinematics After a Hamstring Stretch

Journal of Athletic Training ◽

10.4085/1062-6050-47.1.5 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 5-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Autumn L. Davis Hammonds ◽

Kevin G. Laudner ◽

Steve McCaw ◽

Todd A. McLoda

Keyword(s):

Pelvic Tilt ◽

Knee Extension ◽

Swing Phase ◽

Treadmill Running ◽

Control Group ◽

Single Session ◽

Anterior Pelvic Tilt ◽

Hamstring Flexibility ◽

Hip Flexion ◽

Straight Leg Raise

Context: Limited passive hamstring flexibility might affect kinematics, performance, and injury risk during running. Pre-activity static straight-leg raise stretching often is used to gain passive hamstring flexibility. Objective: To investigate the acute effects of a single session of passive hamstring stretching on pelvic, hip, and knee kinematics during the swing phase of running. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting: Biomechanics research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Thirty-four male (age = 21.2 ± 1.4 years) and female (age = 21.3±2.0 years) recreational athletes. Intervention(s): Participants performed treadmill running pretests and posttests at 70% of their age-predicted maximum heart rate. Pelvis, hip, and knee joint angles during the swing phase of 5 consecutive gait cycles were collected using a motion analysis system. Right and left hamstrings of the intervention group participants were passively stretched 3 times for 30 seconds in random order immediately after the pretest. Control group participants performed no stretching or movement between running sessions. Main Outcome Measure(s): Six 2-way analyses of variance to determine joint angle differences between groups at maximum hip flexion and maximum knee extension with an α level of .008. Results: Flexibility increased between pretest and post-test in all participants (F1,30 = 80.61, P<.001). Anterior pelvic tilt (F1,30 = 0.73, P=.40), hip flexion (F1,30 = 2.44, P=.13), and knee extension (F1,30 = 0.06, P=.80) at maximum hip flexion were similar between groups throughout testing. Anterior pelvic tilt (F1,30 = 0.69, P=.41), hip flexion (F1,30 = 0.23, P=.64), and knee extension (F1,30 = 3.38, P=.62) at maximum knee extension were similar between groups throughout testing. Men demonstrated greater anterior pelvic tilt than women at maximum knee extension (F1,30 = 13.62, P=.001). Conclusions: A single session of 3 straight-leg raise hamstring stretches did not change pelvis, hip, or knee running kinematics.

Download Full-text

Short-term effect of a hamstring stretching program in hamstring extensibility and sagittal spinal curvatures in high school students

Cultura_Ciencia_Deporte ◽

10.12800/ccd.v15i43.1401 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (43) ◽

pp. 75-84

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

High School Students ◽

Intervention Program ◽

Pelvic Tilt ◽

Trunk Flexion ◽

School Students ◽

Spinal Curvatures ◽

Pelvic Inclination ◽

Post Test ◽

Straight Leg Raise

Hamstring shortness and postural deformities are frequent in adolescents. For this reason, the purpose of this study was to analyse the influence of a shortterm stretching program in hamstring extensibility and sagittal spinal curvatures in high school students. Sixty-two male high school students aged 14-17 years old performed a 70 seconds hamstring stretching program (3 exercises) twice a week for five weeks during their physical education classes. Hamstring extensibility was measured by the straight leg raise test and sit-and-reach test. Thoracic and lumbar curves and pelvic inclination were measures in relaxed standing and in the sit-and-reach test. These measures were assessed before (pre-test) and after (post-test) the intervention program. Significant increases in the sit-and-reach score (d= 0.23) and in the straight leg raise angle (d= 0.85-0.90) were found. Sagittal spinal curvatures in standing showed no differences between pre- and post-test. In the maximal trunk flexion position during the sit-and-reach was detected a lower thoracic kyphosis and posterior pelvic tilt (p < 0.05) in post-test although with a low size effect (d=0.02-0.22). A hamstring muscle stretching program with a volume of 2 sessions per week (70 seconds each session), for 5 weeks, improves hamstring extensibility in adolescents and slightly reduces the thoracic bending and posterior pelvic tilt in trunk flexion postures with extended knees.

Download Full-text