I suppose if the nerve is stopping the stretch then it is NOT a hamstring stretch. The knee should be kept in slight flexion to allow a good hamstring stretch. If it is extended the nerve will be stretched as in a straight leg raise. If the nerve prevent further hip flexion, bend the knee and continue to stretch the muscle by further flexion at the hip. It's all pretty simple really. I is particularly annoying to have poor comment on perhaps good data analysis.

1. In the majority of cases does the nerve restrict movement during passive hip flexion with an extended knee (as in the straight leg raise)?

2. Answer yes

3. Conculusion: Therefore the test was a nerve stretch NOT a hamstring stretch.


What is perhaps more important to think about in this example is the roll of rapid hip flexion (kicking a football) or rapid knee extension on an already flexed hip (as in hurdling).

1. Question: Is it the rapid stretching of the nerve during this activity that triggers a "withdrawal" response in the hamstring muscle to prevent associated pain and/ or damage to the nerve?

2. The result: A torn Hamstring.
3. The conclusion: If the nerve trunk proves to be sensitive to end of range movements during more ballistic activities, then is this not the most important area that needs to be addressed in order to prevent a recurrent hamstring injury.

4. Don't forget that microscopically the nerve tissue is crimped and designed in such a way to allow for alterations in length during the normal ranges of motion of the joints of the body.

:smokin