Treatment Design Customisation with Quantification of Concurrent Muscle Work during Hamstring Testing - A Cluster analysis

The study aims to understand the differences in concurrent muscle work pattern during hamstrings testing in a varied population. The primary objective is to cluster similar patterns to understand the prevailing situation. The secondary objective is to compare the results with the current walking guidelines.

Data from 530 individual participants are inputted to compute with multinomial Cluster analysis. An individual data set comprised variables from tests namely Active Straight Leg Raise and Active Total Knee Extension, the gold standards in testing Hamstring tightness. The Right side and Left side data with concurrent muscle work in the lower back and neck region are quantified to input as variables. 12 variables of each individual are used to analyse the pattern. 

86 percent of participants had Hamstring Tightness based on all four individual test results cut-off. The results of cluster analysis revealed three major groups or muscle work patterns. The groups were termed minimal, moderate and severe based on the intra variable differences. 

In particular, most people with diabetes are directed to walk everyday by respective health care educators. There exists an inadequacy following these guidelines as there is a gap between the reality and expectations. The results of this study automatically assign each new individual into one of these three major groups. A person who falls under minimal involvement cluster can follow the mass guideline with ease, whereas an individual with severe involvement requires customised treatment designed by a therapist to reduce their discomfort, adjust weight loading parameters, and aiding them to walk. Similarly, the individual who falls in moderate groups requires monitoring for improvement. If changes noted in shifting from moderate to minimal, then it can be considered improvement, whereas a change from moderate to severe group must be taken into consideration to avoid further progression.

The Results of Hamstrings test showed stepping stones in incorporating customisation in this technology era. The same study can be continued with different muscle testing procedures and valuable inputs can be incorporated into regular clinical practices to create navigable pathways in therapy practices and global policy development.