MEDICINA SPORTIVA - Journal of Romanian Sports Medicine Society

Comparison of acute effects of ballistic stretching and kinesiotaping in rowers with hamstring tightness

Hamstring tightness which occurs due to biomechanics of rowing is one of problems that can cause low back pain and other sport injuries in rowers. The aim of study was to compare the acute effects of two different applications in rowers with tight hamstring.
Material and Method. 22 athletes who have been rowing at a Rowing Facility for at least 6 months, have motion less than 80° according to passive straight leg raising test (PSLRT), were divided into two groups with randomization: Ballistic stretching group (BS, 2 girls, 8 boys, n=10, mean age 14.10±1.45 years), Kinesiotaping group (KT, 4 girls, 8 boys, n=12, mean age 14.08±1.56 years). While subjects performed 10 small bouncing motions in BS, inhibition technique (Y strip) was applied on hamstring in KT group. Assessments were done before (BA) and after 30 minutes (AA) of applications. Tightness and flexibility of dominant limb hamstring, tightness related pain of activity and resting were assessed with respectively, PSLRT, sit and reach test, numerical pain rating scale (NPRS-A, NPRS-R). SPSS 24.0 was used in analysis of data, p<0.05 was considered significant.
Results. There was no difference between groups except NPRS-A (p>0.05) in baseline measurements. No significant change was found in pain, muscle tightness in AA assessments between groups (p>0.05). In analysis of intragroup changes between assessments, there was significant difference in tigthness in both groups, while there was significant improvement in sit and reach and NPRS-A scores only in KT group (p<0.05).
Conclusion. In rowers ballistic stretching and kinesiotaping are two effective methods to increase hamstring flexibility in a short time. In addition to being inexpensive and widely used alternative method in literature, easy application of kinesiotaping seems more effective in reducing tightness related pain during activity. We suggest that adding these methods to rowing training programs may be beneficial in preventing sports injuries.