{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,14]],"date-time":"2026-06-14T08:52:35Z","timestamp":1781427155455,"version":"3.54.1"},"reference-count":37,"publisher":"PeerJ","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,5]],"date-time":"2025-02-05T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1738713600000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n<jats:title>Introduction<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>Hip range of motion (ROM) across various planes is necessary in sport-related activities. Static stretching was commonly used to improve hip ROM. The Lightback system, a novel compression device, has been developed to enhance hip mobility by applying controlled axial forces on the femur. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Lightback system in improving hip ROM and posterior chain flexibility compared to conventional static stretching.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>\n<jats:sec>\n<jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>A randomized cross-over trial was carried out in 31 physically active participants (62 lower limbs; <jats:italic>n<\/jats:italic> = 31 Lightback group (LBG) and <jats:italic>n<\/jats:italic> = 31 stretching group (SG)). Hip rotation at two positions of hip flexion (active and passive external (ER) and internal rotation (IR) at 0\u201390\u00b0 hip flexion), total rotation ROM (TRROM), and the flexibility of the posterior chain (active knee extension test (AKE) and active straight leg raise (ASLR)) were measured before and after the stretching session.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>\n<jats:sec>\n<jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>LBG demonstrated significantly greater improvements in hip ER and IR compared to the SG. Specifically, the LBG showed significant increases in active ER at 0\u00b0 (<jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic> = 0.002) and 90\u00b0 (<jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic> &lt; 0.001) of hip flexion, as well as IR at 0\u00b0 (<jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic> = 0.007) and 90\u00b0 (<jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic> &lt; 0.001). TRROM in neutral and at 90\u00b0 of hip flexion also improved significantly in the LBG (<jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic> &lt; 0.001). In passive ROM, the LBG exhibited significant increases in ER at 0\u00b0 (<jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic> &lt; 0.001), IR at 90\u00b0 (<jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic> = 0.001), and TRROM at both positions (<jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic> &lt; 0.001), compared to the SG. Regarding posterior chain flexibility, both groups improved in AKE and ASLR (<jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic> &lt; 0.001), but the LBG showed a significantly larger effect in ASLR (<jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic> &lt; 0.001), with no significant difference between groups in AKE.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>\n<jats:sec>\n<jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>This study demonstrated that both the Lightback system and static gluteal stretching improved passive hip ROM. However, the Lightback system showed greater improvements in active ROM, particularly in external and internal rotation at various degrees of hip flexion, as well as in posterior chain flexibility. Notably, the Lightback system significantly enhanced large improvement in the ASLR test.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.7717\/peerj.18523","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,5]],"date-time":"2025-02-05T08:00:43Z","timestamp":1738742443000},"page":"e18523","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["The effects of gluteal stretching <i>vs<\/i>. Lightback\u00ae on hip rotation range of motion and posterior chain flexibility in healthy subjects: a cross-over clinical trial"],"prefix":"10.7717","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Charles","family":"Cotteret","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2760-8644","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Jaime","family":"Almaz\u00e1n-Polo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5836-8017","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Fabien","family":"Gu\u00e9rineau","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7215-3925","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"\u00c1ngel","family":"Gonz\u00e1lez de-la-Flor","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"4443","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,5]]},"reference":[{"issue":"6","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1329","DOI":"10.1177\/0363546512441328","article-title":"Hip morphological characteristics and range of internal rotation in femoroacetabular impingement","volume":"40","author":"Audenaert","year":"2012","journal-title":"American Journal of Sports Medicine"},{"issue":"2","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"227","DOI":"10.12965\/jer.1734910.455","article-title":"Effects of a static stretch using a load on low back pain patients with shortened tensor fascia lata","volume":"13","author":"Bae","year":"2017","journal-title":"Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation"},{"issue":"6","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"503","DOI":"10.12965\/jer.2040700.350","article-title":"The effect of different neural mobilization exercises on hamstring flexibility and functional flexibility in wrestlers","volume":"16","author":"Balc\u0131","year":"2020","journal-title":"Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation"},{"issue":"3","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"304","DOI":"10.1097\/BOR.0000000000000160","article-title":"Physical therapies in the management of osteoarthritis","volume":"27","author":"Bennell","year":"2015","journal-title":"Current Opinion in Rheumatology"},{"issue":"8","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e18795","DOI":"10.1016\/j.heliyon.2023.e18795","article-title":"Dynamic and static stretching on hamstring flexibility and stiffness: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"9","author":"Cai","year":"2023","journal-title":"Heliyon"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1283","DOI":"10.3389\/FPHYS.2019.01468","article-title":"Acute effects of static stretching on muscle strength and power: an attempt to clarify previous caveats","volume":"10","author":"Chaabene","year":"2019","journal-title":"Frontiers in Physiology"},{"issue":"1","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-7","first-page":"136","article-title":"The relationship of body segment length and vertical jump displacement in recreational athletes","volume":"20","author":"Davis","year":"2006","journal-title":"The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"l4378","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.l4378","article-title":"CONSORT, 2010 statement: extension to randomised crossover trials","volume":"71","author":"Dwan","year":"2019","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"issue":"12","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0243646","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0243646","article-title":"Intra- and inter-rater reliability of joint range of motion tests using tape measure, digital inclinometer and inertial motion capturing","volume":"15","author":"Fraeulin","year":"2020","journal-title":"PLOS ONE"},{"issue":"8491","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1219","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(86)91207-9","article-title":"Quetelet index as indicator of obesity","volume":"327","author":"Garrow","year":"1986","journal-title":"The Lancet"},{"issue":"3","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"457","DOI":"10.1007\/s40122-024-00604-7","article-title":"A new clinical examination algorithm to prescribe conservative treatment in people with hip-related pain","volume":"13","author":"Gonz\u00e1lez-de-la-Flor","year":"2024","journal-title":"Pain and Therapy"},{"issue":"4","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1123\/jsr.2017-0243","article-title":"Reliability of hip rotation range of motion in supine and seated positions","volume":"27","author":"Gradoz","year":"2018","journal-title":"Journal of Sport Rehabilitation"},{"issue":"8","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"957","DOI":"10.1589\/jpts.25.957","article-title":"Interrater and intrarater reliability of the active knee extension (AKE) test among healthy adults","volume":"25","author":"Hamid","year":"2013","journal-title":"Journal of Physical Therapy Science"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"70","DOI":"10.1016\/j.msksp.2017.08.011","article-title":"Acute changes of hip joint range of motion using selected clinical stretching procedures: a randomized crossover study","volume":"32","author":"Hammer","year":"2017","journal-title":"Musculoskeletal Science and Practice"},{"issue":"2","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"441","DOI":"10.1589\/jpts.27.441","article-title":"Hip rotation range of motion in sitting and prone positions in healthy Japanese adults","volume":"27","author":"Han","year":"2015","journal-title":"Journal of Physical Therapy Science"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"55","DOI":"10.1186\/s40634-021-00371-w","article-title":"The effect of static stretching exercises on hip range of motion, pain, and disability in patients with non-specific low back pain","volume":"8","author":"Hatefi","year":"2021","journal-title":"Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics"},{"issue":"6","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"646","DOI":"10.1016\/j.math.2011.04.006","article-title":"Assessment of the degree of pelvic tilt within a normal asymptomatic population","volume":"16","author":"Herrington","year":"2011","journal-title":"Manual Therapy"},{"issue":"1","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3","DOI":"10.1249\/MSS.0b013e31818cb278","article-title":"Progressive statistics for studies in sports medicine and exercise science","volume":"41","author":"Hopkins","year":"2009","journal-title":"Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-19","first-page":"13","article-title":"Dynamic stretching has sustained effects on range of motion and passive stiffness of the hamstring muscles","volume":"18","author":"Iwata","year":"2019","journal-title":"Journal of Sports Science & Medicine"},{"issue":"1","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"154","DOI":"10.1249\/MSS.0b013e318225cb27","article-title":"Effect of acute static stretch on maximal muscle performance","volume":"44","author":"Kay","year":"2012","journal-title":"Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise"},{"issue":"12","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"481","DOI":"10.2519\/jospt.1989.10.12.481","article-title":"The effect of stretching neural structures on grade one hamstring injuries","volume":"10","author":"Kornberg","year":"1989","journal-title":"Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy"},{"issue":"12","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"846","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsports-2011-090474","article-title":"Hamstring exercises for track and field athletes: injury and exercise biomechanics, and possible implications for exercise selection and primary prevention","volume":"46","author":"Malliaropoulos","year":"2012","journal-title":"British Journal of Sports Medicine"},{"issue":"7","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1080\/02640414.2020.1845439","article-title":"Training-induced changes in anterior pelvic tilt: potential implications for hamstring strain injuries management","volume":"39","author":"Mendiguchia","year":"2020","journal-title":"Journal of Sports Sciences"},{"issue":"7","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"760","DOI":"10.1080\/02640414.2020.1845439","article-title":"Training-induced changes in anterior pelvic tilt: potential implications for hamstring strain injuries management","volume":"39","author":"Mendiguchia","year":"2021","journal-title":"Journal of Sports Sciences"},{"issue":"5","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1265","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0b013e31824f2351","article-title":"Hip joint range of motion improvements using three different interventions","volume":"26","author":"Moreside","year":"2012","journal-title":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research"},{"issue":"10","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2635","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0b013e318295d521","article-title":"Improvements in hip flexibility do not transfer to mobility in functional movement patterns","volume":"27","author":"Moreside","year":"2013","journal-title":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research"},{"issue":"4","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2014-0220","DOI":"10.1123\/jsr.2014-0220","article-title":"Reliability of the active-knee-extension and straight-leg-raise tests in subjects with flexibility deficits","volume":"24","author":"Neto","year":"2015","journal-title":"Journal of Sport Rehabilitation"},{"issue":"5","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"358","DOI":"10.1123\/jsr.2015-0197","article-title":"Longitudinal changes in hip strength and range of motion in female youth soccer players: implications for ACL injury, a pilot study","volume":"26","author":"Nguyen","year":"2017","journal-title":"Journal of Sport Rehabilitation"},{"issue":"1","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"270","DOI":"10.26603\/001c.18705","article-title":"Hip and groin injury prevention in elite athletes and team sport\u2014current challenges and opportunities","volume":"16","author":"Short","year":"2021","journal-title":"International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy"},{"issue":"23","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1428","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsports-2016-096651","article-title":"Consensus on exercise reporting template (CERT): explanation and elaboration statement","volume":"50","author":"Slade","year":"2016a","journal-title":"British Journal of Sports Medicine"},{"issue":"10","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1514","DOI":"10.2522\/ptj.20150668","article-title":"Consensus on exercise reporting template (CERT): modified delphi study","volume":"96","author":"Slade","year":"2016b","journal-title":"Physical Therapy"},{"issue":"22","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1611","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsports-2016-096619","article-title":"Is lower hip range of motion a risk factor for groin pain in athletes? A systematic review with clinical applications","volume":"51","author":"Tak","year":"2017","journal-title":"British Journal of Sports Medicine"},{"issue":"04","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"243","DOI":"10.1055\/s-0044-101146","article-title":"The relation between stretching typology and stretching duration: the effects on range of motion","volume":"39","author":"Thomas","year":"2018","journal-title":"International Journal of Sports Medicine"},{"key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"253","DOI":"10.52082\/jssm.2022.253","article-title":"Immediate effect of adding lumbar mobilization to a static stretching program on hamstrings range of motion: an exploratory study","volume":"21","author":"Villers","year":"2022","journal-title":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine"},{"issue":"1","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"168","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0b013e3182956432","article-title":"A comparison of self-administered proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation to static stretching on range of motion and flexibility","volume":"28","author":"Wicke","year":"2014","journal-title":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research"},{"issue":"32","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e39223","DOI":"10.1097\/MD.0000000000039223","article-title":"Effect of improving asymmetry through self-myofascial release in adolescent soccer player with hypomobility syndrome hip: a randomized controlled trial","volume":"103","author":"Yan","year":"2024","journal-title":"Medicine"},{"issue":"3","key":"10.7717\/peerj.18523\/ref-37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1005","DOI":"10.1007\/s00421-023-05325-x","article-title":"Acute effects of static and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching on hamstrings muscle stiffness and range of motion: a randomized cross-over study","volume":"124","author":"\u017deleznik","year":"2024","journal-title":"European Journal of Applied Physiology"}],"container-title":["PeerJ"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/peerj.com\/articles\/18523.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/peerj.com\/articles\/18523.xml","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/peerj.com\/articles\/18523.html","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/peerj.com\/articles\/18523.pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,5]],"date-time":"2025-02-05T08:00:51Z","timestamp":1738742451000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/peerj.com\/articles\/18523"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,5]]},"references-count":37,"alternative-id":["10.7717\/peerj.18523"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.7717\/peerj.18523","archive":["CLOCKSS","LOCKSS","Portico"],"relation":{},"ISSN":["2167-8359"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2167-8359","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,5]]},"article-number":"e18523"}}