The Acute Effects of Neurodynamic Stretching on the Shear Wave Velocity: the Effects of Hip Adduction and Abduction

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to investigate the immediate effects of two different hip positions, adduction and abduction, during neurodynamic flossing techniques on the sciatic nerve and hamstring tissues. Neurodynamic mobilization is often used in rehabilitation to improve nerve mobility and function, especially in conditions like neuropathic pain. The study focuses on healthy and physically active individuals, including athletes, to clarify conflicting findings about optimal hip positioning during these techniques. Participants will be randomly assigned to different groups where the hip is positioned either neutrally, in adduction, or in abduction. Neurodynamic flossing involves alternating movements of the head and ankle to mobilize nerve tissues at the pain threshold, performed five times over 60 seconds during the intervention. Measurements are taken with no intervention and during neurodynamic flossing in each hip position, using shear wave elastography (SWE) to assess tissue elasticity. During the study, participants will undergo assessments before and immediately after the interventions, including measuring nerve and muscle shear wave velocity, hamstring force, muscle electrical activity, passive knee extension, overall flexibility, and discomfort experienced. These evaluations use ultrasonography and electromyography to provide real-time, non-invasive data. The study duration and visits are structured around these immediate assessments to understand the acute effects of hip positioning on neurodynamic stretching.

Hip Abduction and Adduction During Neurodynamic Stretching