The effect of stretching neural structures on grade one hamstring injuries.

A comparative study of treatment methods was performed in a group of professional Australian Rules football players. This study was conducted on players diagnosed as having grade I hamstring injuries, who demonstrated positive responses to the slump test (a neural tension test). Of 28 subjects that satisfied the above criteria, 16 were treated traditionally, with the remaining 12 receiving slump stretch as an addition to the treatment regime. Results indicated that traditional treatment plus slump stretch technique was more effective (p < 0.001) in returning the player to full function than the traditional regime alone. Therefore, the authors suggest that the slump test should be a mandatory test in the assessment of hamstring strain, so that the more effective treatment regime may be implemented. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1989;10(12):481-487.