Highlights
- •An effective stretching position for the tensor fasciae latae was examined.
- •Shear wave elastography was used as an index to quantify muscle elongation.
- •Hip adduction, extension and >90° of knee flexion is the most effective position.
- •Shear wave elastography is an effective method to investigate muscle elongation.
- •High reliability was confirmed for the measurement of shear wave elastography.
Abstract
Background
Decreased flexibility of the tensor fasciae latae is one factor that causes iliotibial
band syndrome. Stretching has been used to improve flexibility or tightness of the
muscle. However, no studies have investigated the effective stretching position for
the tensor fasciae latae using an index to quantify muscle elongation in vivo. The
aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hip rotation and knee angle on
tensor fasciae latae elongation during stretching in vivo using ultrasonic shear wave
elastography.
Methods
Twenty healthy men participated in this study. The shear elastic modulus of the tensor
fasciae latae was calculated using ultrasonic shear wave elastography. Stretching
was performed at maximal hip adduction and maximal hip extension in 12 different positions
with three hip rotation conditions (neutral, internal, and external rotations) and
four knee angles (0°, 45°, 90°, and 135°).
Findings
Two-way analysis of variance showed a significant main effect for knee angle, but
not for hip rotation. The post-hoc test for knee angle indicated that the shear elastic
modulus at 90° and 135° were significantly greater than those at 0° and 45°.
Interpretation
Our results suggest that adding hip rotation to the stretching position with hip adduction
and extension may have less effect on tensor fasciae latae elongation, and that stretching
at >90° of knee flexion may effectively elongate the tensor fasciae latae.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 12, 2015
Accepted:
September 8,
2015
Received:
June 30,
2015
Identification
Copyright
© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
