Short-term effects of tactile stimulation of facial skin on hamstring muscle flexibility in healthy young males. 2023

Hamayun Zafar, and Ahmad H Alghadir, and Zaheen A Iqbal, and Masood Khan
College of Applied Medical Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND Inhibition of the suboccipital muscle group is shown to increase the flexibility of hamstring muscles. Reversely, stretching of the hamstring muscles is shown to change the pressure pain thresholds over the masseter and upper trapezius muscles. There appears to be a functional link between the neuromuscular system of the head and neck, and lower extremities. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of tactile stimulation of facial skin on hamstring flexibility in healthy young males. METHODS A total of sixty-six participants participated in the study. Hamstring flexibility was measured by the sit and reach (SR) test in long sitting and the toe touch (TT) test in standing before and after two minutes of facial tactile stimulation in the experimental group (EG) and after rest in the control group (CG). RESULTS In both groups, significant (P<0.001) improvement was observed in both variables, i.e., SR (from 2.62 cm to -0.67 cm in EG and from 4.51 cm to 3.52 cm in CG) and TT (from 2.78 cm to -0.64 cm in EG and from 2.42 cm to 1.06 cm in CG). When both groups were compared, a significant (P=0.030) difference was observed between EG and CG in postintervention values of SR only. Greater improvement was observed in the SR test in EG. CONCLUSIONS Tactile stimulation of facial skin improved hamstring muscle flexibility. This indirect mode of increasing hamstring flexibility can be taken into consideration while managing individuals with hamstring muscle tightness.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D006304 Health Status The level of health of the individual, group, or population as subjectively assessed by the individual or by more objective measures. General Health,General Health Level,General Health Status,Level of Health,Overall Health,Overall Health Status,General Health Levels,Health Level,Health Level, General,Health Levels,Health Status, General,Health Status, Overall,Health, General,Health, Overall,Level, General Health,Levels, General Health,Status, General Health,Status, Health,Status, Overall Health
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000070633 Hamstring Muscles A group of muscles in the posterior THIGH area that are involved in connecting the KNEE JOINT and the PELVIS. Biceps Femoris,Semimembranosus,Semitendinosus,Hamstring Muscle,Muscle, Hamstring,Muscles, Hamstring
D014110 Touch Sensation of making physical contact with objects, animate or inanimate. Tactile stimuli are detected by MECHANORECEPTORS in the skin and mucous membranes. Tactile Sense,Sense of Touch,Taction,Sense, Tactile,Senses, Tactile,Tactile Senses,Tactions,Touch Sense,Touch Senses
D016059 Range of Motion, Articular The distance and direction to which a bone joint can be extended. Range of motion is a function of the condition of the joints, muscles, and connective tissues involved. Joint flexibility can be improved through appropriate MUSCLE STRETCHING EXERCISES. Passive Range of Motion,Joint Flexibility,Joint Range of Motion,Range of Motion,Flexibility, Joint
D052580 Muscle Stretching Exercises Exercises that stretch the muscle fibers with the aim to increase muscle-tendon FLEXIBILITY, improve RANGE OF MOTION or musculoskeletal function, and prevent injuries. There are various types of stretching techniques including active, passive (relaxed), static, dynamic (gentle), ballistic (forced), isometric, and others. PNF Stretching,PNF Stretching Exercise,Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation,Active Stretching,Ballistic Stretching,Dynamic Stretching,Isometric Stretching,Passive Stretching,Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Stretching,Relaxed Stretching,Static Stretching,Static-Active Stretching,Static-Passive Stretching,Exercise, Muscle Stretching,Exercise, PNF Stretching,Muscle Stretching Exercise,Neuromuscular Facilitation, Proprioceptive,PNF Stretching Exercises,PNF Stretchings,Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitations,Static Active Stretching,Static Passive Stretching,Stretching Exercise, PNF,Stretching, Active,Stretching, Ballistic,Stretching, Dynamic,Stretching, Isometric,Stretching, PNF,Stretching, Passive,Stretching, Relaxed,Stretching, Static,Stretching, Static-Active,Stretching, Static-Passive
D055698 Touch Perception The process by which the nature and meaning of tactile stimuli are recognized and interpreted by the brain, such as realizing the characteristics or name of an object being touched. Tactile Perception,Perception, Tactile,Perception, Touch,Perceptions, Tactile,Perceptions, Touch,Tactile Perceptions,Touch Perceptions
D035061 Control Groups Groups that serve as a standard for comparison in experimental studies. They are similar in relevant characteristics to the experimental group but do not receive the experimental intervention. Control Group,Group, Control,Groups, Control

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