Comparison of Sciatic Nerve Gliding and Lower Extremity Dynamic Stretch on Hamstring Flexibility of Athletes

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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In this research, the main purpose is to determine the comparison of acute effect of sciatic nerve gliding and lower extremity dynamic stretching exercises on hamstring flexibility and athletic performance. The participants will be begin with warm-up sessions for 3-5 minutes then baseline data (pre-test): hamstring flexibility will be measured. The order of pre-test will be randomized and same order will be used for post-test. This is a community service addition, added so that everyone in the society can get to know the effects of nerve gliding and lower extremity dynamic stretches on hamstring flexibility, will be cost effective, and will reduce their visits to the therapist. Randomized controlled trial with 1 month follow-up. The sample size is 40. subjects will be divided in two groups, 20 athletes will be given a session of sciatic nerve gliding while lower extremity stretch will be given to remaining 20 athletes. Study duration is of 6 months.Sampling technique employed will be convenient with random assignment. Individuals of age group 18-40 years having male gender regularly exercise at least once a week for 30 minutes. Tools used in the study are Universal inclinometer and Active knee extension test and SLR TEST. Data will be analyzed through IBM SPSS 23

Official Title
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Comparison of Sciatic Nerve Gliding and Lower Extremity Dynamic Stretch on Hamstring Flexibility of Athletes

Conditions
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Sports Physical Therapy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: NEURAL GLIDING
* Other: DYNAMIC STRETCH


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 18 to 40 year Footballers players Male gender Hamstring tightness of one or both legs, Unable to achieve greater than 160 degree of knee extension with hip at 90 degree of flexion Able to reach <70 degree hip flexion in SLR Exclusion Criteria: Individuals who had sustained injury in the prior six months to the lumbar region, Limited activity level for more than 3 days, Low back problems (disc bulge etc.) Individual with a history of fracture or trauma were excluded from the study

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: NEURAL GLIDING<br>with Sciatic nerve gliding which is done by applying force on the proximal point and releasing the force distally and then reversing the process. This process was achieved for 30 seconds, 6 times on each leg for a total time of 3 minutes (360 seconds). | Other: NEURAL GLIDING<br>* with Sciatic nerve gliding which is done by applying force on the proximal point and releasing the force distally and then reversing the process. This process was achieved for 30 seconds, 6 times on each leg for a total time of 3 minutes (360 seconds).<br>|
| Active Comparator: DYNAMIC STRETCH<br>The stretch force was applied on the ankle in downward direction which was held for 30 seconds and was repeated 5 times total of 2.5 minutes (150 seconds). Stretch was given on both legs one at a time. Treatment was given for 3 weeks with 2 sessions per week | Other: DYNAMIC STRETCH<br>* The stretch force was applied on the ankle in downward direction which was held for 30 seconds and was repeated 5 times total of 2.5 minutes (150 seconds). Stretch was given on both legs one at a time. Treatment was given for 3 weeks with 2 sessions per week<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Range of Hamstrings (Universal Goniometer) | Participants were asked to do SLR and active knee extensions and then measure range of hamstrings and then note the range by goniometer . | 3 WEEKS | 
| SLR test | Participants were asked to lie down in a supine position and were asked to raise their both leg one by one. In order to measure hamstring flexibility center of the goniometer was placed at the greater trochanter level its proximal arm at midline of pelvis and distal arm along the shaft of the femur referring lateral epicondyle. After which scoring were noted in which >110 showed excellent scoring, 80 to 110 showed good scoring and 60 to 79 showed fair scoring of the hamstring muscle flexibility | 3 WEEKS | 
| Knee Extension test | For active knee extension test participant one leg is vertically extended and the other leg was flexed on the level of hip joint and then the participants was asked to extend the knee. The point where the vertical leg starts to move is recorded. The angle between the thighs is measured, if the knee was fully extended it was noted as 0 and if it shows slight flexion that was noted as positive number like 20 or 30 degree. By following the same protocol both right and left legs were recorded. Normal knee extension ranges from 130_140 to 0 degree knee extension less than the range was written as negative number | 3 WEEKS |