Rocío Fortún-Rabadán

Background: Adequate hamstring flexibility is crucial for musculoskeletal health as increased muscle tone can lead to stretch-type injuries, muscle weakness, dysfunctional neuromuscular control, postural changes, and lower back pain. The aim was to compare the effectiveness of a program based on Electrical Muscle Elongation (EME), Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), and no intervention in improving flexibility and viscoelastic properties of hamstring and quadriceps muscles in active young adults with functional hamstring disorder (type 2B according to the Munich Consensus). Methods: Sixty-five participants (45 male, 20 female) were randomly assigned to three groups: the EME group (n = 21) received a simultaneous combination of interferential current and stretching, the PNF group (n = 22) underwent active stretching, and the Control group (n = 22) received no intervention. Hamstring and quadricep flexibility and muscle stiffness were measured in both limbs at baseline, post-intervention, and at the 4-week follow-up. Results: The EME group showed significant improvements in hamstring flexibility in the left limb compared to the Control group and in some myotonometric variables of the quadriceps muscle compared to the PNF and Control groups (p < 0.05). Within-groups differences indicated higher improvements in the EME group. Conclusions: This study suggests that EME may offer greater benefits than PNF stretching in young adults with functional hamstring disorder.

Background: Service-learning (S-L) is an educational method that enhances social and civic engagement among health science students, addressing unmet community needs. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSKD) represent a public health issue with increasing prevalence among school-aged population as reported by at least 1 on 5 children. Prevention programs for MSKD in schools are scarce, although evidence supports the efficacy of health education provided by physical therapists. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a musculoskeletal health promotion program through S-L on school students, teachers, and physical therapy students.Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used. A quasi-experimental design assessed the learning and satisfaction of school students and teachers using pre-and post-intervention questionnaires. Additionally, qualitative data from reflective diaries of fourth-year physical therapy students were analyzed to capture their experiences. The intervention was conducted in 10 schools in Spain over two academic years, targeting children aged 10–14 and their teachers.Results: A total of 1,051 school students and 32 teachers participated. Pre-post evaluations revealed significant learnings on MSKD prevention and body awareness in both groups (p < 0.05), highlighting the increase in knowledge about MSKD prevention and self-treatment for school students and on MSKD derived from inadequate postures for schoolteachers. Satisfaction was high, with students and teachers rating the program 4.4/5. Teachers highlighted the value of training for their professional practice, while students appreciated learning about self-care. Physical therapy students were 4 and reflected on their motivation for the project, learning experiences, as well as positive and negative aspects of the service.Discussion: The S-L community-based intervention effectively increased awareness of musculoskeletal health and self-management skills. The peer learning environment and participatory approach encouraged engagement and knowledge retention in both students and teachers.Conclusion: S-L is a valuable strategy for promoting musculoskeletal health in schools while improving health education skills among the future physical therapists through experiential learning.

Background: Adequate hamstring flexibility is crucial for musculoskeletal health, as increased muscle tone can lead to stretch-type injuries, muscle weakness, dysfunctional neuromuscular control, postural changes, and lower back pain. The aim was to compare the effectiveness of a program based on Electrical Muscle Elongation (EME), Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), and no intervention in improving flexibility and viscoelastic properties of hamstring and quadriceps muscles in active young adults with functional hamstring disorder (type 2B according to the Munich Consensus). Methods: Sixty-five participants (45 male, 20 female) were randomly assigned to three groups: the EME group (n=21) received a simultaneous combination of interferential current and stretching, the PNF group (n=22) underwent active stretching, and the Control group (n=22) received no intervention. Hamstring and quadriceps flexibility and muscle stiffness were measured in both limbs at baseline, post-intervention, and at the 4-week follow-up. Results: The EME group showed significant improvements in hamstring flexibility in the left limb compared to the Control group and in some myotonometric variables of the quadriceps muscle compared to the PNF and Control groups (p<0.05). Within-group differences indicated higher improvements in the EME group. Conclusions: This study suggests that EME may offer greater benefits than PNF stretching in young adults with functional hamstring disorder.