title: The effect of dynamic stretching on hamstrings flexibility with respect to the spino-pelvic rhythm.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To ascertain the dynamic stretch effects of flexibility of the hamstrings on lumbar spine and pelvic kinematics.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Tight hamstrings are positively correlated with low back pain. However, it is unclear how flexibility of the hamstrings affects spino-pelvic rhythm.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve healthy men participated in the study. The straight leg raising (SLR) angle, finger floor distance (FFD), and spino-pelvic rhythm was measured before and after the 6-week stretching protocol. The forward bending task was divided into 4 phases. The paired t-test was used to determine significant differences before and after the FFD, SLR angle, lumbar motion, and pelvic motion, and spino-pelvic rhythm in each phase (p<0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 6 weeks of stretching, significant improvements were seen in the FFD with maximum forward bending and in the SLR angle. Total pelvic rotation was also significantly increased in contrast to total lumbar flexion. A decreased spino-pelvic ratio was seen in the final phase.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dynamic stretching could change the spino-pelvic rhythm to a pelvis-dominant motion, indicating that flexible hamstrings are important for preventing low back pain.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sports Science, Waseda University.
authors.forename: Kiyotaka
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hasebe
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Okubo
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaneoka
authors.forename: Kohei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takada
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sairyo
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D000070633:Hamstring Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises / Q000379:methods*; D010388:Pelvis; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D055815:Young Adult