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Comparison of Four Clinical Tests for Assessing Hamstring Muscle Length

1993; American Physical Therapy Association; Volume: 18; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2519/jospt.1993.18.5.614

1938-1344

Richard L. Gajdosik, Melonie A. Rieck, Debra K. Sullivan, Susan E. Wightman,

Body Composition Measurement Techniques

Several indirect clinical tests for measuring hamstring muscle length are available, but the influence of their test procedures is not well documented. This study examined four of these tests toclarify the results relative to the testing procedures. The right limbs of 30 men were tested for: I) passive straight leg raise (SLR) with the pelvis and opposite thigh stabilized with straps (SLR-SS); 2) passive SLR with the low back ilat and, if needed, the opposite thigh slightly flexed and supportedon pillows (SLR-LBF); 3) active knee extension with the hip at 90° (AKE); and 4) passive knee extension with the hip at 90° (PKE). A dependent t-test showed no significant differences between the angles oi SLR-SS (61° ± 6.7°) and SIR-LBF (62° ± 6.2°). The SIR-SS and SIR-LBF angles for subjects needing pillows under the opposite thigh for the SIR-LBF test (N = 18) also were not significantly different. The knee flexion angles for the AKE (43° ± 10.2°) and the PKE (31° ± 7.5°) tests were significantly different (p < 0.001). Significant relationships (Pearson r) were found among the four tests (p < 0.05). The similar angles for SLR-SS and SIR-LBF and their significant relationship (r = 0.70, p < 0.001) indicated that their different testing procedures probably had a minimal influence on test results. The difference between the AKE and PKE tests suggested that ihe AKE test and the PKE test may represent an “initial length” and a “maximal length,” respectively. These results should help clinicians apply the tests appropriately and interpret the results accurately.