Exploring the Effects of Moist Heat Pack Application on Hamstring Flexibility: A pilot project
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Artist Statement
Introduction: Moist heat packs are commonly used to increase muscle temperature making it a popular treatment prior to rehabilitation or activity. Research suggests that applying a moist heat pack to skeletal muscle increases local blood flow, decreases muscle spasm, and increases tissue extensibility. However, much of the existing literature has focused on the use of a moist heat pack to facilitate a stretching routine to increase flexibility, and much of the literature reports conflicting findings as to whether flexibility can be influenced by a moist heat pack. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of moist heat pack thermotherapy on hamstring flexibility. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that the application of moist heat packs would increase hamstring flexibility more than the control trial alone. Participants: A non-random sample of ten graduate students from a therapeutic modalities class (8 females and 2 males) participated in this pilot project. Methods: Two trials were conducted for this project: a control trial and moist heat pack trial. Participants’ hamstring flexibility was assessed by performing a single leg raise (SLR) using a standard 12 inch goniometer. Measurements were obtained before and after each trial. For the moist heat pack trial, participants were instructed to lie prone on the table with a moist heat pack applied to the hamstrings for 20 minutes. In the control trial, participants were then instructed to lie prone on the table for 20 minutes. At least one week passed before participants returned to complete the other trial. Data was analyzed by using SPSS software to run a 2x2 repeated measures ANOVA. Dependent Variables: SLR was the dependent variable in this project. Results: A 2 x 2 repeated measures ANOVA revealed statistical significance (p = 0.024) whereby the moist heat pack trial improved hamstring flexibility from the pre-measure to the post-measure. The moist heat pack trial increased flexibility by 4.8 degrees while the control trial decreased by 1.8 degrees. Conclusion: While the findings of this study are not generalizable, the results suggest that moist heat packs may be effective at lengthening the muscle fibers by relaxing the muscle-tendon unit resulting in increased hamstring flexibility. While this supports some of the existing research, caution should be used making any inferences. There was a large amount of variability in measurements obtained in this pilot group suggesting that a different measurement technique may be warranted when conducting future studies.
Mentor Name
Valerie Moody
Exploring the Effects of Moist Heat Pack Application on Hamstring Flexibility: A pilot project
UC North Ballroom
Introduction: Moist heat packs are commonly used to increase muscle temperature making it a popular treatment prior to rehabilitation or activity. Research suggests that applying a moist heat pack to skeletal muscle increases local blood flow, decreases muscle spasm, and increases tissue extensibility. However, much of the existing literature has focused on the use of a moist heat pack to facilitate a stretching routine to increase flexibility, and much of the literature reports conflicting findings as to whether flexibility can be influenced by a moist heat pack. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of moist heat pack thermotherapy on hamstring flexibility. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that the application of moist heat packs would increase hamstring flexibility more than the control trial alone. Participants: A non-random sample of ten graduate students from a therapeutic modalities class (8 females and 2 males) participated in this pilot project. Methods: Two trials were conducted for this project: a control trial and moist heat pack trial. Participants’ hamstring flexibility was assessed by performing a single leg raise (SLR) using a standard 12 inch goniometer. Measurements were obtained before and after each trial. For the moist heat pack trial, participants were instructed to lie prone on the table with a moist heat pack applied to the hamstrings for 20 minutes. In the control trial, participants were then instructed to lie prone on the table for 20 minutes. At least one week passed before participants returned to complete the other trial. Data was analyzed by using SPSS software to run a 2x2 repeated measures ANOVA. Dependent Variables: SLR was the dependent variable in this project. Results: A 2 x 2 repeated measures ANOVA revealed statistical significance (p = 0.024) whereby the moist heat pack trial improved hamstring flexibility from the pre-measure to the post-measure. The moist heat pack trial increased flexibility by 4.8 degrees while the control trial decreased by 1.8 degrees. Conclusion: While the findings of this study are not generalizable, the results suggest that moist heat packs may be effective at lengthening the muscle fibers by relaxing the muscle-tendon unit resulting in increased hamstring flexibility. While this supports some of the existing research, caution should be used making any inferences. There was a large amount of variability in measurements obtained in this pilot group suggesting that a different measurement technique may be warranted when conducting future studies.