Hamstring flexibility in young women following passive stretch and muscle energy technique

Abstract

Background:

Research is limited and controversial on the effectiveness of various stretching methods on muscle lengthening.

Objective:

Studying the effectiveness of static stretch and muscle energy technique on the flexibility of hamstring muscles.

Methods:

Thirty young females (20–25 yrs old) participated voluntarily in this study. Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: static stretch group (controls; n=15) and muscle energy technique (MET) group (experimental; n=15). The control group underwent ten sessions of static stretches of hamstring muscle, and the experimental group was assigned to ten sessions of MET at 50% voluntary isometric contraction. Hamstring flexibility was evaluated by passive knee extension test at baseline and again following interventions.

Results:

Both treatment methods were capable of significantly improving the shortness of hamstring muscles (P< 0.01); and no considerable difference was observed between the methods.

Conclusion:

Ten sessions of hamstring stretches in normal young women using either static stretch or MET had similar effect on restoring flexibility to hamstrings.