The aim of the study was to compare the effects of hamstring stretching exercises used with superficial and deep heat applications on the flexibility of the hamstring muscles. Methods: Evaluation was done in a physiotherapy unit in Pamukkale University, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation during the scholastic year 2006. In this study, 28 participants (7 females and 21 males) were included. All participants were divided into two groups randomly. Participants in the Group I performed static stretching exercises for the hamstring muscle after the ultrasound application (10 min). Participants in the Group II performed the same stretching exercises following hot-pack application (20 min). The static stretching exercises were performed by the participants for 45 seconds and three times per day for the six weeks. The flexibility of the hamstring muscles was evaluated with a standard manual goniometry before and after the physiotherapy program.
Results: A significant improvement in the flexibility of the hamstring muscles was found in both groups. However no significant difference regarding the amount of flexibility of the hamstring muscle between the groups. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that using superficial or deep heat applications before static stretching exercises shows positive effects to increase flexibility of hamstring muscles. But, there is no superiority on each others.