Effects of Neural Load on Hamstring Stretching upon Flexibility, Maximum Isometric Strength, and Tibial Nerve Pressure Pain Threshold in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized Clinical Trial
(1) Background: Stretching has been shown to improve flexibility, muscle activation, and coordination, but its effects may depend on neural tension during the stretch. This study evaluated the short- and medium-term effects of hamstring stretching with and without neural load on flexibility, tibial...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Carlos Fernández-del Rivero Pablo García-Gil Juan Mínguez-Cruz Daniel Pecos-Martín Samuel Fernández-Carnero Alexander Achalandabaso-Ochoa Daniel Rodríguez-Almagro |
| author_facet | Carlos Fernández-del Rivero Pablo García-Gil Juan Mínguez-Cruz Daniel Pecos-Martín Samuel Fernández-Carnero Alexander Achalandabaso-Ochoa Daniel Rodríguez-Almagro |
| author_sort | Carlos Fernández-del Rivero |
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| description | (1) Background: Stretching has been shown to improve flexibility, muscle activation, and coordination, but its effects may depend on neural tension during the stretch. This study evaluated the short- and medium-term effects of hamstring stretching with and without neural load on flexibility, tibial nerve pressure pain threshold, and maximum isometric strength. (2) Methods: Seventy-eight healthy participants (mean age: 24.96 ± 6.11 years) were randomly assigned to stretching programs with (n = 39) or without neural load (n = 39). Flexibility, pressure pain threshold, and maximum isometric strength were assessed at baseline, after the first session, at the end of the intervention, and one month later. (3) Results: The group using neural load showed significant flexibility improvements after the first session (MD = −5.2; <i>p</i> < 0.001), which were maintained at two months (MD = −8.6; <i>p</i> < 0.001) and follow-up (MD = −6.4; <i>p</i> < 0.001). In the control group, flexibility gains diminished at follow-up (MD = −3.9; <i>p</i> = 0.052). Other variables showed no significant changes across time points. (4) Conclusions: Since neither treatment showed superior efficacy, no specific stretching type could be recommended. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e2a8d2a01ca044c593d4ed57dbdde08a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-e2a8d2a01ca044c593d4ed57dbdde08a2025-01-24T13:20:27ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-01-0115268310.3390/app15020683Effects of Neural Load on Hamstring Stretching upon Flexibility, Maximum Isometric Strength, and Tibial Nerve Pressure Pain Threshold in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized Clinical TrialCarlos Fernández-del Rivero0Pablo García-Gil1Juan Mínguez-Cruz2Daniel Pecos-Martín3Samuel Fernández-Carnero4Alexander Achalandabaso-Ochoa5Daniel Rodríguez-Almagro6Physiotherapy and Pain Group, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alcala, 28805 Madrid, SpainPhysiotherapy and Pain Group, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alcala, 28805 Madrid, SpainPhysiotherapy and Pain Group, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alcala, 28805 Madrid, SpainPhysiotherapy and Pain Group, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alcala, 28805 Madrid, SpainPhysiotherapy and Pain Group, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alcala, 28805 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, SpainDepartment of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almería, La Cañada de San Urbano, 04120 Almería, Spain(1) Background: Stretching has been shown to improve flexibility, muscle activation, and coordination, but its effects may depend on neural tension during the stretch. This study evaluated the short- and medium-term effects of hamstring stretching with and without neural load on flexibility, tibial nerve pressure pain threshold, and maximum isometric strength. (2) Methods: Seventy-eight healthy participants (mean age: 24.96 ± 6.11 years) were randomly assigned to stretching programs with (n = 39) or without neural load (n = 39). Flexibility, pressure pain threshold, and maximum isometric strength were assessed at baseline, after the first session, at the end of the intervention, and one month later. (3) Results: The group using neural load showed significant flexibility improvements after the first session (MD = −5.2; <i>p</i> < 0.001), which were maintained at two months (MD = −8.6; <i>p</i> < 0.001) and follow-up (MD = −6.4; <i>p</i> < 0.001). In the control group, flexibility gains diminished at follow-up (MD = −3.9; <i>p</i> = 0.052). Other variables showed no significant changes across time points. (4) Conclusions: Since neither treatment showed superior efficacy, no specific stretching type could be recommended.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/2/683neural loadstretchingflexibilitymuscle strengthpain |
| spellingShingle | Carlos Fernández-del Rivero Pablo García-Gil Juan Mínguez-Cruz Daniel Pecos-Martín Samuel Fernández-Carnero Alexander Achalandabaso-Ochoa Daniel Rodríguez-Almagro Effects of Neural Load on Hamstring Stretching upon Flexibility, Maximum Isometric Strength, and Tibial Nerve Pressure Pain Threshold in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized Clinical Trial Applied Sciences neural load stretching flexibility muscle strength pain |
| title | Effects of Neural Load on Hamstring Stretching upon Flexibility, Maximum Isometric Strength, and Tibial Nerve Pressure Pain Threshold in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized Clinical Trial |
| title_full | Effects of Neural Load on Hamstring Stretching upon Flexibility, Maximum Isometric Strength, and Tibial Nerve Pressure Pain Threshold in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized Clinical Trial |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Neural Load on Hamstring Stretching upon Flexibility, Maximum Isometric Strength, and Tibial Nerve Pressure Pain Threshold in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized Clinical Trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Neural Load on Hamstring Stretching upon Flexibility, Maximum Isometric Strength, and Tibial Nerve Pressure Pain Threshold in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized Clinical Trial |
| title_short | Effects of Neural Load on Hamstring Stretching upon Flexibility, Maximum Isometric Strength, and Tibial Nerve Pressure Pain Threshold in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized Clinical Trial |
| title_sort | effects of neural load on hamstring stretching upon flexibility maximum isometric strength and tibial nerve pressure pain threshold in healthy subjects a randomized clinical trial |
| topic | neural load stretching flexibility muscle strength pain |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/2/683 |
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