Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, 2009/09, 22(3):143-148. doi: 10.3233/bmr-2009-0227, type of study: ,rct,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Full text    (https://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-back-and-musculoskeletal-rehabilitation/bmr00227)

Keywords:

female [655]
hamstring flexibility [2]
knee extension [5]
muscle energy technique [180]
MET [640]
passive stretching [4]
randomized controlled trial [947]

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.