Abstract
Purpose: Participants in equine sporting events tend to suffer from
shortened or tight hamstrings due to their riding position where the knees
are in a constant passively flexed state. Showjumpers tend to be at a higher
risk for this condition, since they use shorter stirrup lengths (Callery, 2004).
Shortened hamstrings could lead to lower back pain because it is thought
that the hamstrings can pull the pelvis into a posterior tilted position (Reis
and Macedo, 2015). The aim of this study was to determine if chiropractic
manipulative therapy of the lumbar spine, proprioceptive neuromuscular
facilitation (PNF) stretching of the hamstrings or a combination of these
treatments could increase hamstring extensibility in female showjumpers.
Study design: This study consisted of three groups with 15 participants in
each group. Female showjumpers that suffer from tight hamstrings were
recruited. Participants were between the ages of 18 and 45 years old. Six
treatments were done in total per group during a four-week period, with two
treatments being done per week. The last session consisted of only data
capturing. Participants in Group 1 received chiropractic manipulative
therapy to their lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints, Group 2 received PNF
stretching of their hamstrings, and Group 3 received a combination of these
treatments.
Measurements: Measurements were recorded on the 1st, 4th and 7th visits.
Hamstring extensibility was measured by a baseline goniometer on both
legs and a sit-and-reach box test both before and after each treatment
session.
Results and conclusion: The results showed that lumbar manipulative
therapy, PNF stretching of the hamstrings and a combination of these
treatments all had an immediate and long-term effect on hamstring flexibility
in female showjumpers. Chiropractic treatment has shown an effect on
female showjumpers with tight hamstrings.
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)