The Effect of Hamstring Stretching on Lumbar Muscle Activation in Officers
The Effect of Active Static Hamstring Stretching Exercises on Lumbar Muscle Activation in Office Workers
Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
50 participants
Sep 10, 2024
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
Prolonged periods of desk work and static postures in office workers lead to various musculoskeletal issues in both the lower and upper extremities. One such issue is hamstring muscle tightness observed in individuals. Tight hamstring muscles contribute to increased electromyographic muscle activity in the lumbar region, altered lumbopelvic rhythm, and changes in lumbar stabilization, leading to low back pain. The viscoelastic properties of the hamstring muscles play a crucial role in maintaining posture and stabilizing the lumbar region. Insufficient hamstring flexibility or viscoelastic properties can alter pelvic position and result in excessive stress in the lumbar region, thereby increasing the risk of low back pain. It is anticipated that the activation, stabilization, and viscoelasticity of the muscles in the lumbar region will change through static active hamstring stretching exercises, which aim to restore the length-tension relationship in the hamstring muscles. This study aims to investigate the effect of active static hamstring stretching exercises on lumbar muscle activation, stabilization, and viscoelasticity in office workers.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria5
- Individuals aged between 20 and 50 years
- Who are office workers
- Spending at least 5 hours daily sitting at a desk
- Willing to participate in the study
- And classified as physically inactive according to the International Physical Activity Short Form
Exclusion Criteria6
- Individuals with a history of lumbar spine and knee surgery within the last 6 months
- A history of any hamstring muscle injury within the last 6 months
- Presence of osteoporosis
- Concurrent mental, metabolic, rheumatologic, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, or pulmonary conditions
- Currently pregnant
- And individuals classified as obese (BMI \> 30 kg/m²)
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Interventions
In the first session, participants will be instructed on the principles of spinal protection. Following this, members of the experimental group will engage in active hamstring exercises within the office environment. These exercises will be conducted for 10 minutes, consisting of 10 repetitions of 30-40 seconds of stretching followed by 30 seconds of rest, five days a week for six weeks. Participants in the experimental group will be remotely supervised during the stretching exercises.
Participants will receive workplace training on spine protection principles and subsequently be placed on a waiting list. Throughout this process, individuals in the designated group will receive text messages on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays over the course of six weeks. These messages will contain information aimed at assisting them in maintaining correct posture throughout the workday.
Locations(1)
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NCT06540053