A Comparison of the Immediate and Lasting Effects between Passive stretch and Muscle Energy technique on Hamstring Muscle Extensibility Payla Mumtajben1, Gill Manmit2, Singal Sandhya Kashyapketan3, Shah Nikita4 1M.P.T. Sports, Department of Physiotherapy, Government Spine Institute and Physiotherapy College, Civil Hospital Campus, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India 2Senior Lecturer, Department of Physiotherapy, Government Spine Institute and Physiotherapy College, Civil Hospital Campus, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India 3I/C Lecturer, Department of Physiotherapy, Government Spine Institute and Physiotherapy College, Civil Hospital Campus, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India 4M.P.T. Sports, Department of Physiotherapy, Government Spine Institute and Physiotherapy College, Civil Hospital Campus, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India Online published on 16 January, 2018. Abstract Background A surprising number of problems arise from inadequate hamstrings extensibility and, gives the frequency of knee injuries among athletes, non-athletic individuals and dancers; so treatment should be focused to reduce tightness. One of the most important aspects of performance enhancement other than skill is to maintain flexibility so there by injury can be prevented. In order to assist the athlete in training for flexibility event and for general population to relieve the symptoms due to inadequate muscle extensibility, stretching techniques are commonly used and the concept of muscle energy technique (MET) evolved out of osteopathic procedures developed by pioneer practitioners such as T. J. Ruddy, Fred Mitchell and Philip Greenman should be incorporated. This article presents a more effective way to free the hamstrings and improve the performance. Aims & Objectives To study the immediate and lasting effects of MET and passive stretching on hamstring muscle extensibility and to compare the immediate and lasting effects of MET and passive stretching on hamstring muscle extensibility. Materials and Method Study included 40 college students with age group between 18–25 years. Subjects were randomly divided in to 2 groups after getting written consent. Single session of intervention was given to right lower extremity in the afternoon. The active knee extension (AKE) and back saver sit and reach test (BSSR) were used as a criterion measurement for hamstring muscle extensibility. Before intervention measurements were taken then Group A (n-20) was given MET, Group B (n-20) was given passive stretching. Both MET and passive stretching were matched for repetitions, duration and rest interval. Immediate and lasting effects of interventions in both groups were measured again by above mentioned tests immediately and one hour after an intervention. Result ‘Students t Test’ (paired t-test) was applied for within group comparison, both groups individually showed highly significant improvement in range of AKE and distance of BSSR test at immediate and after one hour of intervention. Student's t test (unpaired t test) was applied for between group showed no significant difference in improvement of AKE and distance from middle finger of hands to great toe at 5% level of significance, although improvement was more in Group A as compared to Group B. Conclusion MET is superior to passive stretching in terms of hamstring extensibility. Hamstring extensibility is obviously valuable for athletes and also for general population to avoid deleterious effects of hamstring tightness. Therefore those involved in flexibility training can confidently include MET as adjuvant to their normal training protocol than using passive muscle stretching. Top Keywords Passive stretch, Muscle energy technique, Hamstring muscle extensibility. Top |