The Immediate Effects of Passive Hamstring Stretching Exercises on the Cervical Spine Range of Motion and Balance

[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to examine the immediate effects of passive hamstring stretching exercises on cervical spine range of motion and balance. [Subjects] The present study was conducted with 60 healthy university students without any musculoskeletal dysfunction as subjects. They were divided into an experimental group consisting of 30 subjects and a control group consisting of 30 subjects. [Methods] Cervical spine range of motion was measured using a cervical range of motion goniometer, and the stability test was conducted to assess balance. The experimental group were administered hamstring stretching with ankle dorsiflexion for 30 seconds three times, whereas the control group received the same treatment without ankle dorsiflexion. [Results] Cervical spine range of motion and balance immediately increased in the experimental group while there was no change in the control group. [Conclusion] The results show that hamstring muscle stretching exercises the fascia of the skeletal muscles of the human body and that the fascia are connected to each other by interactions of force. The human skeletal muscles interacted with each other to increase the flexion and extension range of motion of the cervical spine. In addition, the transfer of these forces to the stabilizer muscles of the pelvis and spine were the most important factor in the improvement of the subjects' balance.