Publication:

Effect of paschimottanasan versus foam roller on hamstring flexibility in physiotherapy college students: a comparative study

Background Reduced hamstring extensibility is frequently observed in young adults and may be influenced by prolonged sitting and low physical activity. Paschimottanasana and foam rolling are commonly used to address flexibility limitations, but their relative effects in physiotherapy students have not been directly compared often.

Methods Sixty physiotherapy students aged 18-25 years with hamstring tightness on the YMCA Sit-and-Reach Test participated in this comparative interventional study. Purposive sampling was used, followed by chit-based allocation to Paschimottanasana (n=30) or foam roller self-myofascial release (n=30). Both groups trained three times weekly for four weeks. Flexibility was measured before and after the intervention. Paired t-tests assessed within-group change and an independent t-test compared post-intervention scores. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

Results Sit-and-Reach scores increased from 22.86±2.08 cm to 25.16±1.90 cm after Paschimottanasana (t=5.51, p<0.001), and from 23.16±1.74 cm to 24.16±1.44 cm after foam rolling (t=3.61, p=0.001). The post-intervention comparison was also significant (t=2.29, p=0.025).

Conclusions Both approaches improved hamstring flexibility, with a significantly larger improvement following Paschimottanasana. The posture may therefore provide a practical, low-cost flexibility option for healthy young adults.