If you’re familiar with the frustration of back pain and find bending over a challenge, this exercise is tailored for you. Short hamstrings are often overlooked yet significant contributors to lower back issues. Short hamstrings limit hip joint flexion, impacting squat mechanics and causing improper form, such as rounding the lower back. This excessive flexion force on the lower lumbar spine leads to significant compression of the lumbar discs and increased risk of injury.
To address this issue, incorporating a hamstring stretch into your routine can enhance flexibility and alleviate stress on your lower back.
Especially prior to squatting, it’s crucial to implement a comprehensive warm-up routine specifically targeting the hamstrings to improve mobility and prepare the body for the demands of the exercise. This will help you maintain proper squat form, including a neutral spine, and hinge at the hips while engaging core muscles.
The video demonstrates a pre-workout hamstring flexibility exercise that you can integrate, together with thorough warm-ups, and focusing on correct squat form, to mitigate the risk of lumbar disc strain and promote overall lower back health.