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The Effects Of Therapeutic Modalities On Hamstring Range Of Motion And Flexibility
Abstract   Peer reviewed

The Effects Of Therapeutic Modalities On Hamstring Range Of Motion And Flexibility

Christina Padron, Jennifer Bolton, Alisha Reid and Ludmila Cosio-Lima
Medicine and science in sports and exercise, Vol.44(5 Suppl), p.628
05/01/2012

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Abstract

Adequate hamstring flexibility is important for athletic performance. Healthcare professionals are always searching for innovative methods to increase flexibility. This study compares the changes in hamstring length after the use of three different therapeutic modalities (ice bag, heat pack, and therapeutic massage). METHODS: Six female University of West Florida softball players (18-21 years) were tested on three non-consecutive days. The players' right leg was passively stretched into hip flexion three times, each stretch was held for 30 seconds, and a fourth passive stretch was measured with a goniometer. A therapeutic modality was given randomly (ice pack, heat pack, or massage) for 15 minutes. A final measurement was then taken with a goniometer after the use of the therapeutic modality. RESULTS: The results were assessed using repeated measures ANOVA (pretest and posttest x 3 therapeutic modalities: ice bag, heat pack, and therapeutic massage). The ice bag modality had a mean increase of 7.7[degrees] (115.3[degrees] + or - 7.1[degrees] vs. 123.0[degrees] + or - 5.1[degrees]). The heat pack modality had a mean increase of 1.3[degrees] (199.8[degrees] + or - 6.9[degrees] vs.121.1[degrees] + or -7.1[degrees]). Therapeutic massage had a mean increase of 10.1[degrees] (115.5[degrees] + or - 4.0[degrees] vs.125.6[degrees] + or - 2.3[degrees]). CONCLUSION: Therapeutic massage was significantly greater in each participant with one athlete having a 19 point increase in their flexibility. The heat pack modality gave the participants the least amount of increase in their flexibility.

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