title: Hamstring Elongation Quantified Using Ultrasonography During the Straight Leg Raise Test in Individuals With Low Back Pain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although the straight leg raise (SLR) test frequently is used to assess hamstring extensibility in individuals with low back pain (LBP), evidence relating LBP, SLR, and hamstring extensibility remains unclear. The SLR measures the angle between the lifted leg and the horizontal, however, and, as such, it is not a direct measure of the elongation capacity of the hamstrings.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the differences in hamstring elongation (quantified via ultrasonography) and SLR score between individuals with LBP and asymptomatic controls and to determine the relationship between hamstring elongation, SLR, and functional disability scores.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty men and women with chronic LBP (mean ± SD, age 43.51 ± 3.71 years and 40 control subjects (age 45.11 ± 4.01 years) participated in this study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Passive SLR, elongation assessed via ultrasonography, and functional disability.
  SLR score, elongation of tendinous tissue within the semitendinosus muscle, and Oswestry Disability Index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two-way analysis of variance tests indicated a significantly lower SLR score and a greater Oswestry score in LBP group compared with control subjects (P < .05). In contrast, there were no significant group differences in hamstring elongation (P > .05). Gender did not have an effect on all dependent measures (P > .05). Hamstring elongation showed a low correlation with SLR score and a minimal correlation with Oswestry score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that the SLR score is not determined by hamstring elongation (quantified via ultrasonography).
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuromechanics, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences at Serres, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, TEFAA Serres, Serres 62100, Greece(∗). Electronic address: ekellis@phed-sr.auth.gr.
authors.forename: Eleftherios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kellis
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuromechanics, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences at Serres, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece(†).
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ellinoudis
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuromechanics, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences at Serres, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece(‡).
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kofotolis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography