Hamstring tightness causing low back pain among college going students-a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction and aim: Posterior thigh muscles are also called the Hamstring group of muscles. Its major action is knee flexion and minor action in hip extensor. It is one of the two joint muscles that involve the hip joint and knee joint. When these muscles are shortened or become tight the movement in the hip and knee is affected or reduced. This shortened muscle causes a posterior pelvic tilt that leads to a flat back. Prolonged tightness causes low back pain. Tightness is mainly due to inadequate physical activity results in stiffness, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis. The aim of this study is to find whether tight hamstring causes low back pain in college-going students. Materials and methods: The method used to measure the hamstring length in this study is the Active Knee Extension Test. The knee angle is measure using universal goniometry. The knee angle should be between 80-90 degrees. If the range is below 80 degrees, then that subject has a tight hamstring. Results: Mean hamstring tightness in males is calculated and found that the left is more affected than the right. The mean hamstring tightness in the female is calculated and found that the right side is more affected than the left side. Both males and females having tightness at the range of 30-40 degrees are more. Conclusion: This study shows that most of the colleges going students have knee range below 80 degrees. And investigation reveals that 2/4th of the total experienced low back pain in their life. This pain experience is present in all age group that comes under this study. Some students who involve in sports activities have tight hamstring. But some do not have because of stretching muscles before and after the sports activity. By this, it is concluded that prevalence is more among college-going, students.