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COMPARISON OF HOLD-RELAX STRETCHING AND MUSCLE ENERGY TECHNIQUE ON TIGHT HAMSTRING MUSCLE IN YOUNG ADULT FEMALES

Alisha Ehsan, Javeria Aslam, Masooma Gull, Abdul Rahman, Sufian Ahmed, Nadia Anwer, Muhammad Samama Amjad, Hanifa Suleman

Background Muscular flexibility is vital for typical human working. Tightness in the hamstring muscles can lead to various injuries and postural disturbance. The prevalence of hamstring muscle tightness is very high in females reflecting many factors related to office workload, domestic workload, and biological differences. This study aims to compare the immediate effects of Hold-Relax (HR) stretching and Muscle Energy Technique (MET) in improving flexibility of hamstrings in healthy young adult females and to compare which technique is better for immediate relaxation and increasing flexibility of tight hamstrings. Objectives To determine the effectiveness of hold-relax stretching and muscle energy technique for improving hamstring flexibility. Material and Methods This study recruited 26 subjects by using a purposive sampling technique. Participants were randomly divided into two equal groups. Age of group A (22.46 ± 0.88) year and group B (22.00 ± 0.91) year. Subjects in group A were given Hold Relax Stretching (HRS) and Group B underwent the Muscle Energy Technique (MET). Both groups received only one session of stretching. In hold-relax stretching group the muscle was stretched passively by researcher and held this position is held for 7 to 10 seconds. The subject then performed isometric contractions for 3 seconds, following a relaxation period of 10 seconds, then passive stretch was applied until a mild stretch sensation was reported. This stretch was held for 7seconds with three repetitions. The muscle energy technique group performed isometric contractions for 7 to 10 seconds with a relaxation period of 10 seconds with 3 repetitions. Pre and post-test reading was taken using a goniometer in the active knee extension test and straight leg raise for both groups before and after the stretch and was noted in the range of motion table. Comparison of all variables was calculated through SPSS. Results Pretreatment straight leg raise was 49.92 ± 6.61 it increased to 68.15 ± 7.79 after hold-relax stretching and Pretreatment straight leg raise was 55.00 ± 3.89 it increases to 79.92 ± 9.56 after muscle energy technique. Active knee extension (AKE) was 130.46 ± 6.49 after HRS it increases to 140.77 ± 6.73. and Active Knee Extension (AKE) was 131.92 ± 8.68 after MET it increases to 151.77 ± 11.7. However, within the group comparison did not show a significant difference in AKE and SLR in the MET group. The difference was statistically significant (p-value <0.001). Conclusion Within the group, the muscle energy technique showed more improvement and comparing the two groups, both techniques are effective in improving the hamstring muscle flexibility.