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Evaluation of Hamstring flexibility by using two different measuring

instruments

Article  in  sportlogia · December 2010

DOI: 10.5550/sgia.1002028

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Bakirtzoglou, P., Ioannou, P. & Bakirtzoglou, F.: EVALUATION OF HAMSTRING... SportLogia 6 (2010) 2: 28-32

EVALUATION OF HAMSTRING FLEXIBILITY BY USING

TWO DIFFERENT MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
Bakirtzoglou Panteleimon1, Ioannou Panagiotis2 & Bakirtzoglou Fotis3
1Organisation for Vocational Education and Training in Greece, Athens, Greece
2Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Science, Thessaloniki, Greece
3General Hospital of Thessaloniki "Agios Dimitrios", Thesaloniki, Greece

SHORT SCIENTIFIC ARTICLE

DOI: 10.5550/sgia.1002028 COBISS.BH-ID 1846808 UDC: 616.728.3:796.012.23

SUMMARY
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of two different methods of
measurement for hamstring flexibility. Forty male students athletes with mean age 23.45±0.44
years and forty non-athletes students with a mean age 23.08±0.98 years participated in this study.
Hamstring flexibility was evaluated by two different methods of measurement: a) a Myrin goni-
ometer and b) sit and reach test. Statistical analysis included the use of Independent Samples T-
test while significance was set at p<0.01. The results indicated that athletes students scored better
than non-athletes students only when hip joint’s mobility was measured with a Myrin goniometer.
In conclusion the evaluation of joint's mobility should be done by using a method of measure-
ment that would isolate the articulation of measurement from the interjection of other joints or
muscular teams something that is achieved by the use of Myrin goniometer than the use of Sit
and Reach test.

Key words: hamstrings, Myrin goniometer, sit and reach test.

INTRODUCTION 1986; Hoeger et al, 1990; Hui and Yuen,

2000). Such field measures are only moderate
Sports performance is the result of the indicators of hamstring extensibility. However,
interplay of various mental and physical the SRs are frequently used to evaluate the
factors. One of the main factors to improve hamstring muscle extensibility because the
and maximize athletic performance is the procedures are simple, easy to administer, re-
development of physical abilities. The capabi- quire minimal skills training and are particu-
lities of fitness are strength, speed, endurance larly useful in large scale extensibility evalua-
and flexibility (American College of Sports tion in the field setting. The classical SR (Wells
Medicine, 1995). & Dillon, 1952) was originally selected as a
Flexibility has been defined in many ways. part of the American Alliance for Health,
It is used the term joint mobility indicates the Physical Education, Recreation & Dance
degree of bending the normal range or scope (AAHPERD) health-related and physical- fit-
of a joint or series of joints (Moller & Oberg, ness protocol, and is often included in stand-
1984). ard fitness tests (e.g., EUROFIT: personal
Several sit-and-reach tests (SRs) are com- fitness tests, President’s Challenge) and health
monly used in health-related and physical- related fitness programs (Institute for Aerobic
fitness test batteries to evaluate the hamstring Research, 1988) and Α.A.H.P.E.R.D.
and lower back flexibility (Jackson & Baker, (AAHPERD, 1984).

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Bakirtzoglou, P., Ioannou, P. & Bakirtzoglou, F.: EVALUATION OF HAMSTRING... SportLogia 6 (2010) 2: 28-32

During measuring joint’s mobility, how- allowed to rest for 20 minutes between tests.
ever, a joint should be used as instruments to One physiotherapist was responsible for each
limit interference with other muscle groups or test. All measures were performed on the same
joints in the final measurement result. day, and all tests were conducted with the
According to Harris (1969), the joint must be participants wearing their shoes. For the
isolated at the time of measurement. Myrin evaluation of knee joint’s mobility have been
goniometer isolates the joint from the used two different instruments: the Myrin
interference of other joints without affecting goniometer (Leighton, 1955) and Sit and
the final outcome of measuring the length of Reach test (Wells & Dillon, 1952). The
other muscle groups (Leighton, 1955). Unlike measurement of hip flexion with knee straight
measurement with the Sit and Reach test may with Myrin goniometer was tested in a medical
lead to different results, because in anatomy bed. The initial and final position of each
and motion analysis of the test, participating in movement passively measured starting from
the final outcome of the measurement back the anatomical neutral point O, as determined
muscles, hamstrings and the triceps surae by the American Academy of Orthopedic
muscle complex (Kendall et al, 1971). Most Surgeons (1965). Testing room temperature
research has not dealt with the issue of the was kept at 25 °C.
effect of the measure instrument to the final
result of the measurement of a joint mobility.
The purpose of the present study was to
Measures
examine whether the use of two different
Goniometric Measurement
instruments for the evaluation of knee joint’s
mobility may affect the final result of The Myrin goniometer (Lic Rehab. 17183
measurement between untrained and trained Solna, Sweden) is a goniometer vertical and
individuals. horizontal measurements based on Leighton
flexometer (1955). It consists of a circular
range (0-180th) degrees turntable and two
METHOD indices. One indicator is mounted in the
center of the disc controlled by gravity for
Participants vertical measurements and the other is an
Forty student-athletes and forty students indicator of orientation for horizontal measu-
(non athletes) participated in this study. Stu- rements. The measurement was performed
dent-athletes had an average age of 23.45 ± using American Academy of Orthopedic
0.44 years, height 1.89 ± 0.69cm and weight Surgeons (1965) procedures. A manual
84.56 ± 12.43kg. The relevant anthropometric goniometer was used to measure flexibility as
characteristic of students (non-athletes) was: the range of motion in the hip joint and
age, years 23.08 ± 0.98, height 1.86 ± 0.97cm related musculature, while the participant lay
and weight 91 ± 13.46kg. Both student- supine on a firm, level examining table. The
athletes and students (non-athletes) do not examiner raised the tested leg slowly and
have a musculoskeletal problem before the evenly, with the knee fully extended, avoiding
time of measurement. abduction and rotation, until tightness or pain
restricted the movement. The upward motion
Procedure of the straight leg was measured to the nearest
degree from the zero starting position. The
Testing took place in the exercise room at a hamstring flexibility score was determined as
private gym. Before testing, all participants the mean of two measurements of the left and
performed a three minute warm up and static right legs. Ekstrand et al. (1982) demonstrated
stretch routine, emphasizing the lower body. the reliability of measuring joint range of
Immediately after the stretching, the flexibility motion as a measure of hamstring flexibility.
tests were performed in a counterbalanced
design. All tests were assessed on the same day
for each student. The participants were

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Bakirtzoglou, P., Ioannou, P. & Bakirtzoglou, F.: EVALUATION OF HAMSTRING... SportLogia 6 (2010) 2: 28-32

Sit and Reach Test recorded as positive forward reach scores. The
forward reach scores were recorded in
The Sit and Reach test is a wooden device
centimeters to the nearest 0.5 cm using the
with the following dimensions: length of base
scale on the box (AAHPERD, 1984).
35cm, width 45cm, height 32cm and length
55cm. To standardize the measurement scale
of Sit and Reach, a standard meter rule was Statistical analysis
placed on the sit-and-reach box for each test,
For the statistical analysis the statistical
with the reading of 23 cm in line with the heel
package SPSS for windows (Statistical Package
position of each test. The participants sat on
for the Social Sciences, Chicago, IL) was used.
the floor with shoes on, and fully extended Descriptive statistics including means and
two legs so that the sole of the foot was flat
standard deviations were calculated for all the
against the end of the box. They extended variables. Independent Samples T-test was
their arms forward, placing one hand on top
used to find statistically significant differences
of the other. With palms down, they reached between untrained and trained students to
forward sling hands along the measuring scale
assess the flexibility of the knee by the use of
as far as possible without bending the knee of two different measuring methods. Significance
the extended leg. Throughout testing, the
level was set at p <0.01.
physiotherapist checked to ensure that the heel
remained at the 23 cm mark. Three trials were
performed on one side. Then the participant
changed leg position and repeated the
RESULTS
procedure on the other side. The average of The anthropometric characteristics of
the three trials on each side was used for student-athletes and students (non-athletes)
subsequent analyses. Reaches short of the toes are listed in Table 1. There were statistically
were recorded as negative forward reach significant differences between groups in
scores, and reaches beyond the toes were weight (p <0.01).

TABLE 1.
Anthropometric characteristics of students (non-athletes) and students (athletes).
The values are averages ± standard deviation.

Students(non-athletes) Student-athletes
Age (years) 23.45±0.44 23.08±0.98
Height (cm) 1.89±0.69 1.86±0.97
Weight (cm) 84.56±12.43 91.00±13.46
p < .01

The performance of student-athletes and evaluating the mobility of a joint or a muscle

the untrained students using the instrumen- group. Sit and reach test is commonly used in
tation of the Myrin goniometer and Sit and health-related and physical-fitness test
reach test appear in Table 2. There were stati- batteries to evaluate the hamstring and lower
stically significant differences between the two back flexibility (Wells and Dillon, 1952;
groups when using the Myrin goniometer for Jackson and Baker, 1986; Jackson and
the evaluation of knee joint’s mobility (p Langford, 1989; Hoeger et al, 1990; Liemohn
<0.01). et al 1994, Simoneau, 1998) and others
included the Myrin goniometer (Chung and
Yuen, 1999; Hui and Yuen, 2000; Baltaci et al,
DISCUSSION 2003).
Myrin goniometer (LIC rehab, 171 83
This study was designed with the assum-
Solna, Sweden)) is often used to determine
ption that the instrument plays a key role in
hamstring flexibility by executing a maximum,

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Bakirtzoglou, P., Ioannou, P. & Bakirtzoglou, F.: EVALUATION OF HAMSTRING... SportLogia 6 (2010) 2: 28-32

passive straight-leg raise on each leg, In this study, both students-athletes and
(Ekstrand, Wiktorsson, Oberg, & Gillquist, students (non-athletes) had no statistically
1982; Jackson & Baker, 1986; Jackson & significant differences when used as an
Langford, 1989; Minkler & Patterson, 1994). instrument for hamstring flexibility the Sit and
However, comparing these two instruments Reach test. These results did not support the
Kendall et al (1971) report that Sit and Reach findings of Jackson and Baker (1986) and
test does not isolate the joint at the time of Chung and Yuen (1999) indicating that
measurement and the final result would athletes have better statistical performance
probably be due to physiological or limited than non-athlete. Using the Sit and Reach test
length of the muscles of the knee, back and except for knee joint, back muscles and triceps
triceps surae muscle complex. Unlike the surae muscle complex are involved (Kendall et
Myrin goniometer isolate the joint al, 1971). Therefore the same performance
measurement, so the final result of between the two groups may be due to the
measurement is the length of the extensor physiological or limited length of back
muscles (Moller & Oberg, 1984; Kippers & muscles, knee and triceps surae muscle
Parker, 1987). complex.
Most research has not dealt with the issue Rather, when used as measuring instrument
of the effect of the measure instrument to the the Myrin goniometer differences between the
final result of the measurement of a joint two groups was statistically significant in favor
mobility. In this study used two different of student-athletes. This result is in agreement
instruments in order to determine whether the with Kendall et al (1971) and Jackson &
use of two different instruments for evaluation Langford (1989) indicating that athletes
hamstring flexibility will affect the final result perform better than untrained subjects in
of measurement. evaluation of flexibility with the Myrin
goniometer.

TABLE 2.
Performance of student (non-athletes) and students-athletes in the evaluation of hamstring flexibility with the
Myrin goniometer and the Sit and Reach test. The values are averages ± standard deviation.

Students(non-athletes) Students-athletes
Goniometer Myrin (o) 82.00±3.14 88.00±2.26
Sit and reach test(cm) 21.98±2.17 22.40±1.18
p < .01

CONCLUSION to the length of the extensor muscles without

involving other muscle groups or joints.
Significant differences were only observed
by the use of the Myrin goniometer for the
evaluation of hamstring flexibility, in relation REFERENCE:
to Sit and Reach test, because it isolates the
joint. In this study, knees joint mobility of A.A.H.P.E.R.D. (1984). Technical manual for the
trained and untrained individuals evaluated by health related physical fitness test. Washington,
the same score when used as a measure DC: Author.
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likely due to the interference of other muscle (1965). Joint Motion: Method of measuring and
groups in the measurement result. In contrast, recording. Chicago, IL: Park Ridge
trained student had higher results in the American College of Sports Medicine. (1995).
measurement of knees joint mobility from Guidelines for exercise testing and prescription.
untrained student when using the Myrin Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger.
goniometer, because the goniometer isolates Baltaci, G.N.UN, Tunay, V.A., Besler, S. &
the joint measurement, and the final result due Gerceker, S. (2003). Comparison of three

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Bakirtzoglou, P., Ioannou, P. & Bakirtzoglou, F.: EVALUATION OF HAMSTRING... SportLogia 6 (2010) 2: 28-32

different sit and reach tests for measure- test: Replication and extension of previous
ment of hamstring flexibility in female uni- findings. Res. Q. Exerc. Sport. 60(4), pp. 384-
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Chung, P.K. & Yuen, C.K. (1999). Criterion- G.E. (1971). Muscles: Testing and Function.
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Hui, S.S.C. & Yuen, P.Y. (2000). Validity of lege-age students. Research Quarterly for Exer-
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57, pp. 183-186. Wells, K.F. & Dillon, E.K. (1952). The sit and
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Received: October, 20th 2010

Accepted: December, 13th 2010

Correspodence to:
Panteleimon Bakirtzoglou Ph.D
Organisation for Vocational Education and Training
Ethikis Antistaseos 41 - OEEK
TK.142 34
Athens-Nea Ionia
Phone: +30 69 75 90 96 31
E-mail: [email protected]

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Bakirtzoglou, P., Ioannou, P. & Bakirtzoglou, F.: EVALUATION OF HAMSTRING... SportLogia 6 (2010) 2: 28-32

PROCJENA FLEKSIBILNOSTI KOLJENA

KORI[ĆENJEM DVA RAZLIČITA MJERNA INSTRUMENTA
Bakirtzoglou Panteleimon1, Ioannou Panagiotis2 & Bakirtzoglou Fotis3
1Organizacijaza stručno obrazovanje i obuku u Grčkoj, Atina, Grčka
2 Fakultet
fizičkog obrazovanja i sportskih nauka, Solun, Grčka
3Solunska opšta bolnica"Agios Dimitrios", Solun, Grčka

Razvoj fizičkih sposobnosti (snage, brzine, (sportista) je 23,45±0,44 godine, visina

izdržljivosti i fleksibilnosti - American College 1,89±0,69 cm i težina 84,56±12,43 kg.
of Sports Medicine, 1995) je jedan od glavnih Antropometrijske karakteristike studenata
preduslova za unapređenja i povećanja (nesportista) su: visina 1,86±0,97 cm i težina
sportskih postignuća. Nekoliko sjedi-i-dohvati 91,00±13,46 kg; a njihova starost bila je
testova (SRs), za procjenu fleksibilnosti 23,08±0,98 godina. Studenti (sportisti) kao i
koljena i donjeg dijela leđa, se redovno koristi studenti (nesportisti) nisu imali nikakvih
u baterijama testova koje su vezani za zdravlje mišićno-skeletnih problema prije mjerenja.
i fizičku aktivnost. (Jackson & Baker, 1986; Testiranje je izvedeno u sali za vježbanje.
Hoeger et al, 1990; Hui and Yuen, 2000). Sva mjerenja su izvršena istog dana, i svi su
Izvođenje ovih testova je jednostavno, lako za testovi sprovedeni tako što su ispitanici bili u
evidentiranje rezultata, zahtijeva minimalne patikama. Učesnici su mogli da se odmore 20
sposobnosti koje su razvijene treningom i minuta između testova. Jedna osoba
posebno je primjenljivo za procijenu (fizioterapeut) sprovodio je oba testa. Za
fleksibilnosti u ovom prostoru. Klasični SR procjenu pokretljivosti zgloba koljena
(Wells & Dillon, 1952), kao prvi konstruisani korišćena su dva različita mjerna instrumenta:
test, često je bio uključivan u fitnes programe Myrin goniometar (Leighton, 1955) i sjedi-i-
vezane za zdravlje (A.A.H.P.E.R.D., 1984; dohvati test (Wells & Dillon, 1952).
Institute for Aerobic Research, 1988). Prilikom Za statističku analizu korišćen je SPSS
mjerenja pokretljivosti zgloba važno je da se statistički paket za Windows. Deskriptivna
ograniči uticaj drugih mišićnih grupa ili statistika, uključujući srednje vrijednosti i
zglobova na konačan rezultat mjerenja. Prema standardnu devijaciju, izračunate su za sve
Harrisu (1969), zglob mora da bude izolovan varijable. Za pronalaženje statistički značajnih
za vrijeme mjerenja. Upotrebom Myrin razlika u procjeni fleksibilnosti koljena, sa dvije
goniometra zglob se izoluje od drugih različite metode mjerenja, između treniranih i
zglobova i uticaja drugih mišićnih grupa na netreniranih studenata, korišćen je T-test
finalni rezultat. (Leighton, 1955) Za razliku od nezavisnih uzoraka. Traženi nivo značajnosti je
prethodnog testa, sjedi-i-dohvati test može da p<0,01.
pokaže drugačije rezultate. Anatomska i Ustanovljena je statistički značajna razlika
biomehanička analizi pokazuju da na konačan između ove dvije grupe kada se koristio Myrin
rezultat ovog testa imaju uticaj mišići leđa, goniometar za procjenu fleksibilnosti zgloba
koljena i triceps surae. (Kendall et al, 1971) koljena (p<0,01). Nije pronađena statistički
Cilj ovog rada bio je da se ispita da li se značajna razlika između treniranih i
upotrebom dva različita instrumenta za netreniranih ispitanika prilikom korišćenja
procjenu pokretljivosti zgloba koljena može sjedi-i-dohvati testa.
uticati na konačan rezultat merenja treniranih i U ovom istraživanju primjenjena su dva
netreniranih osoba. različita instrumenta da bi se utvrdilo da li
Četrdeset studenata (sportista) i četrdeset postoje razlike u rezultatima mjerenja prilikom
studenata (nesportista) učestvovali su u njihovog upotrebe. Poredeći ova dva
ispitivanju. Prosječna starost studenata instrumenta Kendall et al (1971) konstatuje da

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 Bakirtzoglou, P., Ioannou, P. & Bakirtzoglou, F.: EVALUATION OF HAMSTRING... SportLogia 6 (2010) 2: 28-32

sjedi-i-dohvati test ne izoluje zlob tokom uslovljena uticajem mišića leđa, koljena i
mjerenja i da konačan rezultat vjerovatno triceps surae na mjerenje. Drugim riječima,
zavisiti od ograničenja uslovljenih dužinom kada je korišćen Myrin goniometar razlike
mišića leđa, koljena i triceps surae. Za razliku između dvije grupe su bile statistički značajne
od toga Myrin goniometar izoluje zglob, tako u korist studenata sportista. Ovaj rezultat je u
da na konačan rezultat mjerenja utiče samo saglasnosti sa Kendall et al (1971) i Jackson &
dužina mišića ekstenzora (Moller & Oberg, Langford (1989) koji pokazuje da sportisti
1984; Kippers & Parker, 1987). U ovom imaju bolje rezultate od netreniranih prilikom
istraživanju i studenti (sportisti) i student procjene fleksibilnosti sa Myrin goniometrom.
(nesportisti) nisu pokazali statistički značajnu Značajne razlike primjećene su samo pri
razliku kada je kao instrument za procenu korišćenju Myrin goniometra, u odnosu na
fleksibilnosti koljena korišćen sjedi-i-dohvati sjedi-i-dohvati test. Razlog tome je što prvi
test. Ovi rezultati nisu potvrdili zaključke test izoluje zglob. U ovom istraživanju
Jackson i Baker (1896) niti Chung i Yuen fleksibilnost koljenog zgloba treniranih i
(1999) koji su pokazali da sportisti, statistički netreniranih osoba procijenjena je sa potpuno
gledano, imaju bolje rezultate od nesportista. istim rezultatom kada je kao merni instrument
Koristeći sjedi-i-dohvati test, osim zgloba korišten sjedi-i-dohvati test, a uzrok tome je
koljena, u pokret su takođe uključeni mišići uticaj drugih mišićnih grupa na rezultate
leđa i triceps surae (Kendall et al, 1971). Stoga, mjerenja.
razlika u mjerenju između dvije grupe je

Ključne riječi: koljena, Myrin goniometar, sjedi-i-dohvati test.

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