Correlation between hamstring flexibility and incidence of low back pain in physiotherapy students

Authors

  • Subashini A. Sri Venkateshwaraa college of Physiotherapy, Sri Venkateshwaraa Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Pondicherry University, India
  • Kirthiga A. Sri Venkateshwaraa college of Physiotherapy, Sri Venkateshwaraa Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Pondicherry University, India
  • Kushmitha B. Department of Physiotherapy, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pondicherry, India
  • Jeyanthi S. Sri Venkateswara College of Physiotherapy, Pondicherry University, Sri Venkateswara Group of Institution, Pondicherry, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2455-4510.IntJResOrthop20260499

Keywords:

Hamstring muscle flexibility, Mechanical low back students, Straight leg raising test, Active knee extension test

Abstract

Background: Due to mobile phones and other devices, students are becoming more sedentary these days. Their muscles become rigid as a result of their inactivity. Therefore, our study must analyze the problem of hamstring flexibility and determine the prevalence of low back discomfort among students. The current study aimed to observed the difference in hamstring muscle flexibility. The difference between dominant and non-dominant legs and to determine the correlation between low back pain and hamstring muscle flexibility.

Methods: One hundred students both male and female with hamstring flexibility of at least 150 have been included in this study. Hamstring muscle shortening was examined by the active knee extension test and straight leg raising test, While the low back disability stage was assessed by Oswestry disability index.

Results: The straight leg rising and the active knee extension test (AKE) of the right leg were significantly more flexible than the left side. There was a weak positive non- significant correlation between ODI and AKE of the; right side (r=-0.133, p=0.70) and the left side (r=-0.119, p=0.80). There was weak negative non- significant correlation between ODI and straight leg raising test (SLR) of the right side.  There was a weak positive non-significant correlation between ODI and SLR of the right and left side.

Conclusions: The results of this study should demonstrate a negative correlation and no discernible link between LBP and hip and knee hamstring flexibility.

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Published

2026-02-24

How to Cite

A., S., A., K., B., K., & S., J. (2026). Correlation between hamstring flexibility and incidence of low back pain in physiotherapy students . International Journal of Research in Orthopaedics, 12(2), 366–371. https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2455-4510.IntJResOrthop20260499

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Original Research Articles