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Elastography Study of Hamstring Behaviors during Passive Stretching
Guillaume Le Sant1, Filiz Ates2, Jean-Louis Brasseur3
1Laboratory 'Movement, Interactions, Performance' (EA 4334), Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Nantes, Nantes, France; School of Physiotherapy (IFM3R), Nantes, France.
Plos One
|September 30, 2015
Summary
High hip flexion efficiently tensions hamstrings, revealing distinct passive behaviors among hamstring muscles (semitendinosus, semimembranosus, biceps femoris). This research offers insights into muscle-tendon stress tolerance and potential injury links.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Musculoskeletal Physiology
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Hamstring muscle properties are typically inferred indirectly from joint-level measurements.
- Shear modulus measurement offers a direct method to assess muscle-tendon stiffness and passive tension.
- Understanding individual hamstring muscle behavior is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the passive mechanical behavior of individual hamstring muscles.
- To investigate hamstring muscle response across different hip flexion angles using shear wave elastography.
- To determine the reliability of shear modulus measurements for hamstring muscles.
Main Methods:
- Shear wave elastography was employed to measure the shear modulus of hamstring muscles.
- Measurements were taken during passive knee extension in 18 healthy males.
- Hamstring muscles (semitendinosus, semimembranosus, biceps femoris long and short heads) were analyzed at 70°, 90°, and 110° of hip flexion.
Main Results:
- Reliable measurements were obtained for semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and biceps femoris long-head, but not biceps femoris short-head.
- Shear modulus values increased with higher hip flexion angles, indicating greater hamstring tension.
- Individual hamstring muscles exhibited distinct passive behaviors and varying responses to stretch positions.
Conclusions:
- High hip flexion (110°) is necessary for efficient hamstring muscle tensioning and demonstrates higher muscle-tendon stress tolerance.
- Significant differences in passive behavior exist among individual hamstring muscles.
- Further research is warranted to explore the link between these distinct passive behaviors and injury rates.
