Hamstring Index in School Children- A Cross-Sectional Study in Belgaum City

Flexibility is important for any individual to be physically fit and hence flexibility is routinely used to asses physical fitness in children, athletes and those involved in physical activity throughout the world. Hamstrings group is an important antigravity muscle of the lower limbs and its flexibility is important for maintaining normal posture and gait in both adults and children. After a review of literature, it was determined that there is dearth in the area of normative values for lower extremity muscle length in children. It is therefore the purpose of this study to measure hamstring length by using 3 clinical tests to establish normative values of hamstring length to help to identify children with decreased flexibility.

The present cross sectional study was conducted on 400 children from nursery and elementary schools in Belgaum city which included 200 males and 200 females during the period of April 2008 to December 2008. A written informed consent from all study subjects and institutional ethical clearance was obtained. Children were divided into 3 groups according to age i.e. Group A: 4 to 8 yrs which included 162 subjects, Group B: 9 to 12 yrs included 126 subjects and Group C: 13 to 16 yr which included 112 subjects. Hamstring muscle length was measured using Sit &Reach Test (SRT), Straight Leg Raise and Popliteal angle (PA).

From the results it can be concluded that for children of 4 to 8yrs, SRT ranges from 5 to 9 cms, PA 105 to 150 degree and SLR ranges from 55 to 80 degree. Children of age 9–12 yrs SRT ranges from 5 to 11 cms, PA 110 to 125 degree and SLR ranges from 60 to 72 degree. For 13 – 16 yrs children 9–12 yrs SRT ranges from 8 to 14 cms, PA 95 to 125 degrees and SLR ranges from 55 to 75 degree.

On the basis of present study, a normative set of data for Belgaum city was established as a reference which can help the clinician to compare children who have tightness in hamstring muscle. It can also help determine a person's flexibility, and guide interventions to address these deficits. The data set can be used as a reference in both male and female children while assessing hamstring flexibility.