Effect of thoracic mobilization exercises on hamstring flexibility: a randomized controlled trial.

Area of Science:

• Physiotherapy
• Rehabilitation Science
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Hamstring tightness is a common issue affecting flexibility and potentially causing pain.
• Traditional hamstring stretching may not always yield optimal results or pain relief.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of thoracic mobilization exercises on hamstring flexibility.
• To compare the effects of thoracic mobilization versus traditional hamstring stretching on flexibility and pain.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 120 participants with hamstring tightness.
• Experimental group performed home-based thoracic mobilization; control group performed active-assisted hamstring stretching.
• Hamstring flexibility assessed via active knee extension (AKE) test; pain intensity via visual analog scale (VAS).

Main Results:

• Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in AKE (p<0.05).
• The experimental group showed a significant decrease in pain intensity (VAS) and greater improvements in both AKE and VAS scores compared to the control group (p < 0.05).
• Large effect sizes (d = 1.075 for AKE, d = 1.077 for VAS) were observed between groups.

Conclusions:

• Thoracic mobilization exercises are effective in increasing hamstring flexibility.
• This exercise modality may also reduce pain intensity experienced during hamstring stretching.
• Thoracic mobilization presents a promising alternative or adjunct to traditional hamstring stretching protocols.