Effect of gender on difference in flexibility of two joint muscles in lower limb of both right and left side in young adults: A pilot study

Background: Tight muscles are present in both genders and also varies with age, level of activity, hereditary, weight and many other factors. Physiotherapy has proven beneficial in lengthening the tight muscles but not many studies are present to show the comparison between gender and muscle flexibility which can cause altered biomechanics and also can cause muscle strain if not taken care of. Hence our study is small attempt to find the difference in muscle flexibility between males and females.
Objective: To compare the muscle flexibility of Hamstrings, Rectus femoris and Gastrocnemius muscle between males and females in individuals with normal BMI aged 18-25 years old using a standard goniometer. To compare the differences in flexibility.
Methods:60 subjects were allocated in this study (30 males and 30 females). Muscle flexibility of lower limb was measured using a standard goniometer and then comparison was made between males and females on both sides.
Results: In our study we found out that there is a significant comparison of hamstring muscle length of both right and left side (p=0.000) between young male and female. This suggest that female hamstrings are less flexible compared to males. But there was no significant comparison of rectus femoris muscle length of right side (p=0.503) and left side (p=0.944) and of gastrocnemius muscle length of right side (p=0.462) and left side (p=0.625) between young male and female.
Conclusion: There is difference in muscle length of hamstring muscle of both side in males and females and there is no difference in muscle length of rectus femoris and gastrocnemius muscles of both sides in males and females.