Int J Sports Med 2019; 40(11): 717-724
DOI: 10.1055/a-0981-7282
Orthopedics & Biomechanics
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Moderate Associations of Muscle Elasticity of the Hamstring with Hip Joint Flexibility

Naokazu Miyamoto
1   Juntendo University, Faculty of Health and Sports Science, Inzai, Japan
,
Kosuke Hirata
2   Shibaura Institute of Technology, Graduate School of Engineering and Science, Saitama, Japan
3   Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Research Fellow, Tokyo, Japan
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted 12 July 2019

Publication Date:
19 August 2019 (online)

Abstract

The main purpose of the present study was to identify whether and to what extent the individual differences in range of motion and stiffness of the hip joint can account for that in muscle elasticity of the hamstring. Hip extension torque and shear moduli (a measure of elasticity) of the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus were assessed in 21 young males during unilateral passive hip flexion in the knee-extended position from the anatomical position to the individual’s maximal hip flexion angle. Muscle shear modulus was quantified by using ultrasound shear wave elastography. The maximal hip flexion angle correlated negatively with the shear modulus of each muscle (−0.750 ≤ r ≤ −0.612). The joint stiffness correlated positively with the shear modulus of each muscle (0.711 ≤ r ≤ 0.747). These findings suggest that hip flexion ROM and joint stiffness can reflect significantly but only moderately the muscle elasticity of the hamstring.

 
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