THE EFFECTS OF HAMSTRING TIGHTNESS ON CERVICAL FUNCTION AND FOOT POSTURE: A MYOFASCIAL APPROACH IN A CROSS-SECTIONAL AND INTERVENTIONAL TRIAL
Eda Akbas, Kartal Selici, Emin Ulas Erdem
article (Uluslararası, Hakemli) | Yazar(lar): Eda Akbas, Kartal Selici, Emin Ulas Erdem | Yıl: 2025 | Dergi/Kurum: TURKISH JOURNAL OF PHYSIOTHERAPY REHABILITATION-TURK FIZYOTERAPI VE REHABILITASYON DERGISI | İndeks: WOS.ESCI | DOI: 10.21653/tjpr.2025.81300 — Özet: Purpose: This study aims to examine the effects of hams
Purpose: This study aims to examine the effects of hamstring tightness on cervical joint range of motion (CROM), neck disability, and foot posture and assess the impact of a four-week hamstring stretching program. Methods: This controlled, cross-sectional, and interventional study included 108 participants (study group: n=58, control group: n=50, age 18-25 years). Hamstring flexibility was assessed using the active knee extension test, cervical function with a CROM device, neck disability with the neck disability index (NDI), and foot posture with the navicular drop test. The study group performed hamstring stretching exercises for four weeks (3 sessions/week). Results: Baseline measurements showed that the study group had lowercervical flexion (p=0.004), right (p<0.001) and left (p<0.001) lateral flexion, and right rotation (p=0.003) compared to controls. Neck disability was higher the study group (p<0.001), and navicular drop was greater (p=0.025 right, p=0.012 left). After the intervention, CROM significantly improved (p<0.05 for all movements), and NDI scores decreased (p<0.001), but navicular drop showed no significant change (p>0.05). Conclusion: Hamstring tightness negatively affects CROM, neck disability, and foot posture, supporting myofascial connectivity. The four-weekstretchingprogram improved cervical mobility and reduced neckdisability, highlighting its therapeutic potential. However, additional interventions may be needed to modify foot posture. Future studies should explore long-term effects and underlying biomechanical mechanisms. Keywords: Foot, Hamstring muscles, Neck pain, Posture, Range of motion