BASINGSTOKE Town's chartered physiotherapist Mark Randall has been over-seeing a six-week project involving trials of different hamstring stretching exercises and their effects.

Randall and the Basingstoke Town players have been helping Josephine Palmer, a final year student from the University of Southampton, with her research dissertation.

Her project was to perform clinical trials investigating the differences between static stretching and dynamic stretching in the hamstring muscle.

Town have a series of players who suffer regularly from the ailment - especially Nevilles Roach and Stamp - and because of this the management and coaching staff felt it would be a worthwhile exercise.

Randall said: "The players were initially medically screened and their hamstring lengths taken to provide a baseline measure for the study. We then divided the squad into two groups and,,over the six weeks, they trained and played normally.

"But at the end of each session, one group completed static stretches, the other dynamic."

Randall said a static stretch is where you hold the stretch, while a dynamic one is where the leg is moving and the muscle is being stretched at the same time.

At the end of the six weeks, the players once again had their hamstring lengths measured.

The final data is currently being collated and compared.

Randall said: "We hope it's highlighted the difference between the two stretching techniques.

"In that way, it could have future implications for the warm-up, treatment and rehabilitation of injured players at the club."

Away from the project, Randall's state-of-the-art physio room at the Camrose is going to be busy over the next 10 days, as Martin Whiddett, Sergio Torres and Ricky Allaway get treatment for injuries they have been carrying for some time.

Randall said that the club's current break from Nationwide South action - they don't play again until they meet Carshalton on January 22 - was needed.

Randall said: "A two-week break is just what many players needed. They've been playing with injuries that can only recover with rest, so this spell will give them the time and chance to freshen up."

Randall also revealed that 21-year-old defender Steve Hemmings suffered a setback in his rehabilitation following cruciate ligament reconstruction.

He said: "Unfortunately, Steve developed an infection in part of his knee and had to have further surgery to correct the situation.

"It was only a temporary setback, but enough to affect his rehab for a while. However, he's been working hard to get back on track and can start line running soon."

Randall established the Basingstoke Town FC physiotherapy clinic at the Camrose last year, and he has been pleased with the way it has been received.

He said: "It's had a successful start and I've been busy with appointments.

"Because I'm insured with all major insurance companies, it means I can treat anyone for whatever they need doing - be it sporting injuries or just physio."

Randall can be contacted on 07971 972779 by those wishing to make an appointment.