Author: Madhubabu Kothapalli
Affiliation
Preventa Curo – Centre for Workplace Healthcare & Research, Nanakramguda, Hyderabad, India
Abstract
Background. Prol onged sitting has been identified as a potential risk factor to develop hamstring muscle tightness. In six to eight hours of sitting, hamstring muscles undergo degenerative and atrophic tissue changes which leads to shortening, tightness and reduced flexibility.
Aims. The aim of this study is to investigate influence of prolonged sitting on the development of hamstring muscle tightness in desk job employees.
Methods. In this cross sectional study 150 (75 men and 75 women) desk job employees were included. Active Knee Extension (AKE) test performed to measure popliteal angle. A universal goniometer used to measure the range.
Results. This study results showed that out of 150 participants 78 (52%) subjects presented with hamstring tightness. There was a statistically significant association between AKE test score and sitting time (p = 0.00), and a low positive correlation found between AKE score and sitting time (r = 0.31).
Conclusions. Hamstring tightness can be observed in the majority of the studied population. Prolonged sitting can be a potential risk factor to develop hamstring tightness in desk job employees.
Key words: hamstring tightness, prolonged sitting, active knee extension test, desk job employees.
