Hamstring Tightness

This study compares two treatments for people with tight hamstring muscles (the muscles at the back of the thigh): instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) and static stretching. Both are commonly used by physical therapists to improve flexibility, but few studies have looked at their effects beyond a few days after treatment ends. Forty-six adults with hamstring tightness will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive IASTM, and the other will receive static stretching. Both treatments will be given 3 times per week for 4 weeks (12 sessions total). Researchers will measure flexibility (knee extension range of motion), pressure pain threshold, and physical performance (vertical jump and single-leg hop distance) at three time points: before treatment, 3 days after the last session, and 8 weeks after treatment ends. The goal is to find out which treatment provides better short-term and longer-term benefits.

The goal of this observational study is to learn about the relationship between hamstring tightness and the lumbar lordosis angle in sedentary adults across different sitting postures. The main question it aims to answer is: Is hamstring tightness related to the lumbar lordosis angle across three functional sitting postures (upright, slumped, and forward-leaning)? It also asks whether hamstring tightness differs between men and women, whether it differs between the dominant and non-dominant leg, and whether the lumbar lordosis angle differs between men and women across the three postures. Participants will have their hamstring tightness measured with the Active Knee Extension test and their lumbar lordosis angle measured with a bubble inclinometer while sitting in each of the three postures.

The hamstring tightness is considered as the inability to achieve knee extension greater than 160 degrees while hip is flexed at 90 degrees. When low back pain (LBP) persists for 12 weeks or longer, it is termed as chronic low back pain. The objective of study is to see the effect of dry needling versus soft tissue mobilization on hamstring muscle on pain, range of motion and functionality in patients with chronic low back pain.