{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,26]],"date-time":"2026-07-26T06:32:45Z","timestamp":1785047565991,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":28,"publisher":"Human Kinetics","issue":"3","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2024,3,1]]},"abstract":"<jats:p><jats:italic><jats:bold>Clinical Scenario:<\/jats:bold><\/jats:italic> Hamstring extensibility plays a significant role in maintaining postural alignment essential for a functional musculoskeletal system. When hamstring extensibility is lacking, individuals are placed at a higher risk for developing various lumbar spine, pelvis, knee, and foot dysfunctions. Limited hamstring extensibility is common, occurring in as much as 40% of college students and 86% of the adult population. Therefore, it is essential to maintain hamstring extensibility, which can be aided by understanding intervention effectiveness for improving flexibility. <jats:italic><jats:bold>Purpose:<\/jats:bold><\/jats:italic> To critically appraise the literature on the effectiveness of Active Release Technique (ART) for the treatment of hamstring extensibility deficits. <jats:italic><jats:bold>Clinical Question:<\/jats:bold><\/jats:italic> What is the effect of ART in a healthy population with or without hamstring extensibility deficits? <jats:italic><jats:bold>Summary of Key Findings:<\/jats:bold><\/jats:italic> Three studies were included for critical appraisal. Two studies concluded a single treatment session of ART that individuals possessing limited straight leg raise range of\u00a0motion experienced improved active knee extension, popliteal angle, and sit-and-reach test measures. In the third study, a single session of ART was effective at improving hamstring extensibility in males without hamstring extensibility dysfunction. <jats:italic><jats:bold>Clinical Bottom Line:<\/jats:bold><\/jats:italic> Based on the current level 1 and level 3 evidence, ART may be an effective treatment to produce acute increases in hamstring extensibility. Future research is still needed. <jats:italic><jats:bold>Strength of Recommendation:<\/jats:bold><\/jats:italic> Level B evidence exists to support the use of ART to improve hamstring extensibility in the healthy population.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1123\/jsr.2023-0229","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,1,30]],"date-time":"2024-01-30T06:59:07Z","timestamp":1706597947000},"page":"202-207","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["The Effect of Active Release Technique on Hamstring Extensibility: A\u00a0Critically Appraised Topic"],"prefix":"10.1123","volume":"33","author":[{"given":"Mikala","family":"Palermo","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0001-1245-6019","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Sierra","family":"Reich","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mika","family":"Rives","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"100","reference":[{"issue":"1","key":"r1","series-title":"S Afr J Physiother","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4102\/sajp.v75i1.465","article-title":"A novel approach to improved hamstring flexibility: a single-blinded randomised clinical trial","volume":"75","author":"Alshammari F","year":"2019","unstructured":"Alshammari F, Alzoghbieh E, Abu Kabar M, Hawamdeh M. 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