Document Type

Thesis - NSU Access Only

Title

Effects of Ultrasound Application Followed by Static Stretch on Hamstring Lengthening

Authors

John Petrunyak, Nova Southeastern University

Degree Name

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)

Copyright Statement

All rights reserved. This publication is intended for use solely by faculty, students, and staff of Nova Southeastern University. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or later developed, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher.

Department

College of Health Care Sciences - Physical Therapy Department

Publication Date / Copyright Date

1998

Publisher

Nova Southeastern University

NSUWorks Citation

John Petrunyak. 1998. Effects of Ultrasound Application Followed by Static Stretch on Hamstring Lengthening. Master's thesis. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, College of Health Care Sciences - Physical Therapy Department. (144)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_pt_stuetd/144.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if an ultrasound treatment followed by a one minute static active stretch resulted in greater hamstring lengthening than static stretch alone.

Subjects: 27 subjects composed of 15 males and 12 female students from Nova Southeastern University who had a passive straight leg raise of less than 90 degrees participated in this study.

Methodology: Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: a control group (subjects received no treatment), and two experimental groups (subjects received a one minute static stretch or a seven minute continuous ultrasound treatment followed by a one minute static stretch). Pre- and post-treatment measurements of hamstring length were obtained using the active-knee-extension test.

Results: The results showed that there was a significant increase in hamstring length in the two experimental groups versus the control group. However, no significant differences were found between the two experimental groups. The results also indicated a significant interaction between the males and females in each of the two experimental groups.

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that ultrasound prior to static stretching does not increase the efficacy of static stretching. The results also suggest that the effects of static stretching in association with ultrasound may be individualized.

Disciplines

Physical Therapy