Hamstring flexibility between male and female cricketers with low back pain: A comparative study

Abstract

Cricket is a global sport traditionally popular in the commonwealth nations. Low back pain is one of the common ailments in sports and one of the causative factors for the low back pain is reduced hamstring flexibility. Low back pain is highly prevalent in cricketers. Hamstring injuries have always been one of the highest frequency injuries in cricket. The aim of the study is to compare the hamstring muscle length of male and female cricket players associated with low back pain. A sample size of 50 cricketers among the age group of 19-25 were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Group A include 25 male cricket players and Group B include 25 female cricket players. Hamstring flexibility is measured using (AKET) active knee extension test. The results obtained shows that there is significant difference in hamstring flexibility between male and female cricketers with low back pain.