An experimental study was done in subjects with hamstring tightness in Talegaon Dabhade, Pune. The subjects were selected on the basis of the above mentioned criteria. An informed consent was then taken from the subjects. They were screened by the Active Knee Extension test. The Active Knee extension test (AKE) – The subjects were positioned on a plinth with both legs extended. Anterior superior iliac spines were positioned by aligning them with the vertical bars of the stool. The lower extremity not measured was stabilized using a strap across the thigh.

The participants were told to flex the dominant hip until the thigh touched the horizontal surface of the stool. While maintaining the contact between the thigh and horizontal surface, participants were asked to extend the leg as much as possible while keeping their foot relaxed and to hold the position for about 5 seconds.

A standard universal goniometer was placed on the lateral epicondyle of knee, and the goniometer arms were aligned along the femur and fibula [12]. Hamstrings were considered tight for having knee extension < 160 degrees.

Fig 1. AKE - Starting position Fig. 2 After subject is asked to extend her knee

Fig 5 : The above graph shows pre and post data of NDS intervention which shows NDS is effective in increasing hamstring flexibility.

Fig 6 : The above graph shows pre and post data of static stretching intervention which shows static stretching is effective in increasing hamstring flexibility.

Fig 7: The above graph represents mean difference values of NDS and static stretching showing NDS as a clinically better intervention.

Table 1: Neurodynamic Sliders: Paired T Test Results

Table 2: Static Stretching: Paired T Test Results

Table 3: Comparison Between Nds And Static Stretching : Unpaired T Test Results

Table 4: P Values and Their Significance

Out of 60 subjects screened, 58 subjects completed the entire protocol (2 dropouts). Paired t test was done to compare the pre and post results of static stretching and NDS (Intragroup analysis). Both static stretching and neurodynamic sliders were effective in increasing the hamstring flexibility individually. (p < 0.0001) which is considered to be extremely statistically significant.

An unpaired t test was then done to compare between static stretching and neurodynamic sliders technique (Intergroup analysis). The difference was considered not quite statistically significant (p=0.0658) . Thus both were equally effective in increasing the hamstring flexibility.

The present study compared static stretching and neurodynamic sliders to improve hamstring flexibility. Neurodynamic sliders and static stretching were individually very effective (p < 0.0001) which is extremely significant. When compared, both were equally effective. (p = 0.658). Which is not quite statistically significant

A randomized placebo controlled trial of neurodynamic sliders on Hamstring Responses in Footballerscarried over 4 weeks suggested that  abnormal mechanosensitivity due to sciatic nerve adhesion decreased hamstring extensibility and stretch tolerance , thus a NS technique targeting these neural structures was used. Sharma S, Balthillaya G [15]studied 60 healthy individuals and supported neural sliders and tensioners as an adjunct to static stretching in increasing hamstring flexibility. Castellote-Caballero Y [16]researched the effects of a neurodynamic sliding technique on hamstring flexibility in footballers by passive SLR and proved NDS to be more effective

The increase in hamstring flexibility could be due to the subject’s reduced tolerance to stretch applied. Mechanosensitivity is the ease with which neural tissue becomes active after application of a mechanical stimuli. The more mechanosensitive the nerve is the more intense is the response .The NDS has been proposed to decrease this mechanosensitivity thus neural tissue can glide easily. The body is a container of nervous system in which the musculoskeletal system presents a mechanical interface to the nervous system. The mechanical interface consists of anything that resides next to the nervous system such as tendon, muscle, bone, ligaments, fascia and blood vessels. The nervous system is contained within this interface and follows the movements of the interface thus producing relative sliding. This sliding of the nerve along the nerve beds and fascial system which includes the hamstrings muscles may have led to elongation of the hamstrings.

A study titled effect of hamstring muscle extensibility, muscle activity and balance on different stretching techniques conducted as a onetime session concluded that static stretching improved hamstring flexibility. [17] A metaanalysis investigating the influence of static stretching done on hamstring flexibility in healthy young adults favored static stretching compared to the control in all the tests. [18]

Weppler and Magnuson stated that the effect of stretching in increasing the hamstring extensibility could be due to the changes in the individual’s perception of stretch or pain. Thus studies supporting both neurodynamic sliders and static stretching as individual interventions increasing hamstring flexibility were confirmed. In the present study we compared Neurodynamic sliders and static stretching with the aim to find the most effective technique to improve hamstring flexibility.

Both static stretching and neurodynamic sliders are equally effective in increasing hamstring flexibility in individuals with hamstring tightness.

This is to acknowledge the help and support extended to me to carry out this study. I express my humble gratitude to the Principal DR. SNEHAL GHODEY, and my guide DR. AISHWARYA KANHERE for their constant support and guidance throughout my work. I thank all my subjects who participated in my study, my friends, my teachers and all my colleagues who helped me to complete this study. I express my heartfelt thanks to my parents for being a constant source of moral support.