Effects of the addition of neural mobilization to static stretching on nerve conduction and mobility in hamstring-injured soccer players

Background Hamstring injuries are the most common non-contact injury in male soccer players. Hamstring injuries may cause neuromuscular maladaptation. There are numerous treatment options available for this condition, of which a combination of muscle stretching and nerve slider intervention seems to be a promising one. Purpose This study examined the effects of adding sciatic nerve neurodynamic slider (NS) to sustained static stretching (SS) of the hamstring on motor nerve conduction velocity (mNCV) and lower quadrant mobility in soccer players with a previous hamstring injury (PHI). Methods Thirty eligible male soccer players were randomly allocated to two groups: NS plus SS and SS alone. mNCV (tibial branch of sciatic nerve) and lower quadrant mobility [passive straight-leg-raise (SLR) test, sit and reach (SR), and, knee extension angle in slump (KEA)] were examined before and after three sessions (on alternate days) of intervention. Results Post-intervention, there were significant time and time × group differences in mNCV, passive SLR, KEA, and SR scores for both the groups ( p < 0.05), with the descriptives signifying greater improvements in the NS plus SS group. Conclusions The addition of NS to SS leads to greater improvements in the mNCV and lower quadrant mobility. The study's findings benefit soccer players with hamstring injuries.