Efecto a corto plazo de la técnica de deslizamiento neurodinámico sobre la flexibilidad de los músculos isquiosurales en futbolistas universitarios: un estudio piloto de ensayo clínico aleatorizado

The aim of the study was to determine the short-term effect of neurodynamic sliding techniques (NST) on the flexibility of the hamstring muscles (HMF) in college soccer players. The study corresponds to a double-blind randomized clinical trial pilot study. Sixteen college soccer players participated. The intervention was NST for the lower limbs, and the controls received a sham therapy. The outcome variable was the HMF using the straight leg raise test; before, after the intervention, and 15 minutes later. The effect size was considered through Cohen's d. For the results, we included 16 subjects and 32 lower limbs: no significant differences were found at baseline between the control group and experimental group based on age, career group, semester, time of sports practice, hours of practice per week, playing position, dominance or HMF. In the statistical analysis of the Maximum Hamstring Flexibility (MHF), Student's t-test for independent samples was used, showing that the experimental group (EG) increased flexibility with an average of 18.19 ± 10.17ºcompared to the control group (CG) with an average of 1.75 ± 8.03º. The significant difference was 16.42º(95% CI: 9.82 - 20.05º, p <0.001). Cohen's d was used for the effect size, obtaining a value of 1.79 (95% CI: 0.96 - 2.61), indicating a large effect. The Number Needed to Treat (NNT) was 1.6 for an improvement of ≥ 10° in flexibility. It is concluded that the NST is effective in short-term flexibility of the hamstring muscles.