The Pilot Study of the Immediate Effect of Muscle Energy Technique on Flexibility and Stiffness in Healthy Young Females
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Abstract
Introduction: Flexibility is considered as one of the most significant components of rehabilitation protocols including two definitions: static flexibility measured by the Range of Motion, and dynamic flexibility measured by stiffness. Generally, a normal flexibility is necessary for an appropriate posture and flawless activity in daily life. With regard to various methods that contribute to increasing flexibility of hamstring muscles, the current study aimed at investigating immediate effects of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) on hamstring flexibility and stiffness in healthy young females
Materials and Methods: Ten healthy young females with the mean age of 22.5±2.67 years old participated in the study. Flexibility was measured via active knee extension and modified sit-and-reach test, and stiffness was measured based on the ratio of torque to angular changes via Biodex System 3 before and after MET interventions by post-isometric relaxation method.
Results: The amounts of active knee extension and modified sit-and-reach tests significantly increased after MET intervention; the amounts of active knee extension and modified sit-and-reach increased significantly (P<0.001). Moreover, the estimated hamstring stiffness decreased significantly in comparison with its values before treatment (P<0.001)
Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that MET may improve hamstring flexibility as well as its stiffness.
Gleim GW, McHugh MP. Flexibility and its effects on sports injury and performance. Sports Medicine. 1997; 24(5):289-99. [DOI:10.2165/00007256-199724050-00001] [PMID]
DepinoGM, Webright WG, ArnoldBL. Duration of maintained hamstring flexibility after cessation of an acute static stretching protocol. Journal of Athletic Train. 2000; 35(1):56-9 [PMID] [PMCID]
Mhatre BS, Singh YL, Tembhekar JY, Mehta A. Which is the better method to improve perceived hamstrings tightness? Exercises targeting neural tissue mobility or exercises targeting hamstrings muscle extensibility. International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine. 2013; 16(3):153-62. [DOI:10.1016/j.ijosm.2013.06.002]
McNair PJ, Wood GA, Marshall RN. Stiffness of the hamstring muscles and its relationship to function in anterior cruciate ligament deficient individuals. Clinical Biomechanics. 1992; 7(3):131-7. [DOI:10.1016/0268-0033(92)90027-2]
Houston MN, Hodson VE, Adams KK, Hoch JM. The effectiveness of whole-body-vibration training in improving hamstring flexibility in physically active adults. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation. 2015; 24(1):77-82. [DOI:10.1123/jsr.2013-0059] [PMID]
Kuilart KE, Woollam M, Barling E, Lucas N. The active knee extension test and Slump test in subjects with perceived hamstring tightness. International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine. 2005; 8(3):89-97. [DOI:10.1016/j.ijosm.2005.07.004]
Wan X, Qu F, Garrett WE, Liu H, Yu B. Relationships among hamstring muscle optimal length and hamstring flexibility and strength. Journal of Sport and Health Science. 2017; 6(3):275-82. [PMID] [PMCID]
Waryasz GR, McDermott AY. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS): A systematic review of anatomy and potential risk factors. Dynamic medicine. 2008; 7:9. [DOI:10.1186/1476-5918-7-9] [PMID] [PMCID]
Esola MA, Philip M, Kelley F, Sorin S. Analysis of lumbar spine and hip motion during forward bending in subjects with and without a history of low back pain. Journal of Spine. 1996; 21(1):71-8. [DOI:10.1097/00007632-199601010-00017]
McCarthy JJ, Betz RR. The relationship between tight hamstrings and lumbar hypolordosis in children with cerebral palsy. Journal of Spin. 2000; 25(2):211-3. [DOI:10.1097/00007632-200001150-00011]
Franke H, Fryer G, Ostelo RWJG, Kamper SJ. Muscle Energy Technique for non-specific low-back pain: A Cochrane systematic review. International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine. 2016; 20:41-52. [DOI:10.1016/j.ijosm.2016.01.002]
Smith M, Fryer G. A comparison of two Muscle Energy Techniques for increasing flexibility of the hamstring muscle group. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2008, 12(4):312-7. [DOI:10.1016/j.jbmt.2008.06.011] [PMID]
Ballantyne F, Fryer G, McLaughlin P. The effect of Muscle Energy Technique on hamstring extensibility: The mechanism of altered flexibility. Journal of Osteopathic Medicine. 2003; 6(2):59-63. [DOI:10.1016/S1443-8461(03)80015-1]
Goodridge JP. Muscle Energy Technique: Definition, explanation, methods of procedure. Journal of Osteopathy. 1981; 81(4):249-54. [PMID]
Handel M, Horstmann T, Dickhuth H, Gulch RW. Effects of contract-relax stretching training on muscle performance in athletes. European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology. 1997; 76(5):400-8. [DOI:10.1007/s004210050268] [PMID]
Magnusson SP, Simonsen EB, Aagaard P, Dyhre-Poulsen P, McHugh MP, Kjaer M. Mechanical and physiological responses to stretching with and without preisometric contraction in human skeletal muscle. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 1996; 77(4):373-8. [DOI:10.1016/S0003-9993(96)90087-8] [PMID]
Moore SD, Laudner KG, Mcloda TA, Shaffer MA. The immediate effects of Muscle Energy Technique on posterior shoulder tightness: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2011; 41(6):400-7. [DOI:10.2519/jospt.2011.3292] [PMID]
Sady SP, Wortman M, Blanke D. Flexibility training: Ballistic, static or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 1982; 63(6):261-3. [PMID]
Waseem M, Nuhmani S, Ram CS. Efficacy of Muscle Energy Technique on hamstring muscles flexibility in normal Indian collegiate males. Calicut Medical Journal. 2009; (7):e4.
Mazumdar J, Shriwas JK. A comparison between mulligan traction straight leg raise technique vs Muscle Energy Technique on hamstring tightness in asymptomatic male. International Journal of Physiotherapy and Research. 2014; 2(2):412-7.
Shadmehr A, Hadian MR, Naiemi SS, Jalaie S. Hamstring flexibility in young women following passive stretch and Muscle Energy Technique. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation. 2009; 22(3):143-8. [DOI:10.3233/BMR-2009-0227] [PMID]
Ahmed H, Miraj M, Katyal S. Effect of Muscle Energy Technique and static stretching on hamstring flexibility in healthy male subjects. Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy. 2010; 4(3):32-6.
O’Sullivan K, Murray E, Sainsbury D. The effect of warm-up, static stretching and dynamic stretching on hamstring flexibility in previously injured subjects. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2009; 10:37. [DOI:10.1186/1471-2474-10-37] [PMID] [PMCID]
Hutton R. Neuromuscular basis of stretching exercises. Strength and Power in Sport. 1992; 3:29-38.
Shellock FG, Prentice WE. Warming-up and stretching for improved physical performance and prevention of sports-related injuries. Sports Medicine. 1985; 2(4):267-78. [DOI:10.2165/00007256-198502040-00004] [PMID]
Lederman E. Fundamentals of manual medicine. In: Neumann HD, editor. Introduction to Manual Medicine. Berlin: Springer; 1997.
Freyer G. Muscle Energy Technique: Research and efficacy. Edinburg: Churchill Livingstone; 2006.
Fryer G, Fossum C. Therapeutic mechanisms underlying muscle energy approaches. In: Fernández-de-las-Peñas C, Arendt-Nielsen L, Gerwin RD, editors. Tension-Type and Cervicogenic Headache: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management. Burlington, Massachusetts: Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2010.
Blackburn JT, Riemann BL, Padua D, Guskiewicz K. Sex comparison of extensibility, passive, and active stiffness of the knee flexors. Clinical Biomechanics. 2004; 19(1):36-43. [DOI:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2003.09.003] [PMID]
Hatano G, Suzuki S, Matsou S, Kataura S. Hamstring stiffness returns more rapidly after static stretching than Range of Motion, stretch tolerance, and isometric peak torque. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation. 2017; 0(0):1-23. [Doi:10.1123/jsr.2017-0203] [PMID]
Ryan ED, Beck TW, Herda TJ, Hull HR, Hartman MJ, Costa PB, et al. The time course of musculotendinous stiffness responses following different durations of passive stretching. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2008; 38(10):632-9. [DOI:10.2519/jospt.2008.2843] [PMID]
DepinoGM, Webright WG, ArnoldBL. Duration of maintained hamstring flexibility after cessation of an acute static stretching protocol. Journal of Athletic Train. 2000; 35(1):56-9 [PMID] [PMCID]
Mhatre BS, Singh YL, Tembhekar JY, Mehta A. Which is the better method to improve perceived hamstrings tightness? Exercises targeting neural tissue mobility or exercises targeting hamstrings muscle extensibility. International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine. 2013; 16(3):153-62. [DOI:10.1016/j.ijosm.2013.06.002]
McNair PJ, Wood GA, Marshall RN. Stiffness of the hamstring muscles and its relationship to function in anterior cruciate ligament deficient individuals. Clinical Biomechanics. 1992; 7(3):131-7. [DOI:10.1016/0268-0033(92)90027-2]
Houston MN, Hodson VE, Adams KK, Hoch JM. The effectiveness of whole-body-vibration training in improving hamstring flexibility in physically active adults. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation. 2015; 24(1):77-82. [DOI:10.1123/jsr.2013-0059] [PMID]
Kuilart KE, Woollam M, Barling E, Lucas N. The active knee extension test and Slump test in subjects with perceived hamstring tightness. International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine. 2005; 8(3):89-97. [DOI:10.1016/j.ijosm.2005.07.004]
Wan X, Qu F, Garrett WE, Liu H, Yu B. Relationships among hamstring muscle optimal length and hamstring flexibility and strength. Journal of Sport and Health Science. 2017; 6(3):275-82. [PMID] [PMCID]
Waryasz GR, McDermott AY. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS): A systematic review of anatomy and potential risk factors. Dynamic medicine. 2008; 7:9. [DOI:10.1186/1476-5918-7-9] [PMID] [PMCID]
Esola MA, Philip M, Kelley F, Sorin S. Analysis of lumbar spine and hip motion during forward bending in subjects with and without a history of low back pain. Journal of Spine. 1996; 21(1):71-8. [DOI:10.1097/00007632-199601010-00017]
McCarthy JJ, Betz RR. The relationship between tight hamstrings and lumbar hypolordosis in children with cerebral palsy. Journal of Spin. 2000; 25(2):211-3. [DOI:10.1097/00007632-200001150-00011]
Franke H, Fryer G, Ostelo RWJG, Kamper SJ. Muscle Energy Technique for non-specific low-back pain: A Cochrane systematic review. International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine. 2016; 20:41-52. [DOI:10.1016/j.ijosm.2016.01.002]
Smith M, Fryer G. A comparison of two Muscle Energy Techniques for increasing flexibility of the hamstring muscle group. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2008, 12(4):312-7. [DOI:10.1016/j.jbmt.2008.06.011] [PMID]
Ballantyne F, Fryer G, McLaughlin P. The effect of Muscle Energy Technique on hamstring extensibility: The mechanism of altered flexibility. Journal of Osteopathic Medicine. 2003; 6(2):59-63. [DOI:10.1016/S1443-8461(03)80015-1]
Goodridge JP. Muscle Energy Technique: Definition, explanation, methods of procedure. Journal of Osteopathy. 1981; 81(4):249-54. [PMID]
Handel M, Horstmann T, Dickhuth H, Gulch RW. Effects of contract-relax stretching training on muscle performance in athletes. European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology. 1997; 76(5):400-8. [DOI:10.1007/s004210050268] [PMID]
Magnusson SP, Simonsen EB, Aagaard P, Dyhre-Poulsen P, McHugh MP, Kjaer M. Mechanical and physiological responses to stretching with and without preisometric contraction in human skeletal muscle. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 1996; 77(4):373-8. [DOI:10.1016/S0003-9993(96)90087-8] [PMID]
Moore SD, Laudner KG, Mcloda TA, Shaffer MA. The immediate effects of Muscle Energy Technique on posterior shoulder tightness: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2011; 41(6):400-7. [DOI:10.2519/jospt.2011.3292] [PMID]
Sady SP, Wortman M, Blanke D. Flexibility training: Ballistic, static or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 1982; 63(6):261-3. [PMID]
Waseem M, Nuhmani S, Ram CS. Efficacy of Muscle Energy Technique on hamstring muscles flexibility in normal Indian collegiate males. Calicut Medical Journal. 2009; (7):e4.
Mazumdar J, Shriwas JK. A comparison between mulligan traction straight leg raise technique vs Muscle Energy Technique on hamstring tightness in asymptomatic male. International Journal of Physiotherapy and Research. 2014; 2(2):412-7.
Shadmehr A, Hadian MR, Naiemi SS, Jalaie S. Hamstring flexibility in young women following passive stretch and Muscle Energy Technique. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation. 2009; 22(3):143-8. [DOI:10.3233/BMR-2009-0227] [PMID]
Ahmed H, Miraj M, Katyal S. Effect of Muscle Energy Technique and static stretching on hamstring flexibility in healthy male subjects. Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy. 2010; 4(3):32-6.
O’Sullivan K, Murray E, Sainsbury D. The effect of warm-up, static stretching and dynamic stretching on hamstring flexibility in previously injured subjects. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2009; 10:37. [DOI:10.1186/1471-2474-10-37] [PMID] [PMCID]
Hutton R. Neuromuscular basis of stretching exercises. Strength and Power in Sport. 1992; 3:29-38.
Shellock FG, Prentice WE. Warming-up and stretching for improved physical performance and prevention of sports-related injuries. Sports Medicine. 1985; 2(4):267-78. [DOI:10.2165/00007256-198502040-00004] [PMID]
Lederman E. Fundamentals of manual medicine. In: Neumann HD, editor. Introduction to Manual Medicine. Berlin: Springer; 1997.
Freyer G. Muscle Energy Technique: Research and efficacy. Edinburg: Churchill Livingstone; 2006.
Fryer G, Fossum C. Therapeutic mechanisms underlying muscle energy approaches. In: Fernández-de-las-Peñas C, Arendt-Nielsen L, Gerwin RD, editors. Tension-Type and Cervicogenic Headache: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management. Burlington, Massachusetts: Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2010.
Blackburn JT, Riemann BL, Padua D, Guskiewicz K. Sex comparison of extensibility, passive, and active stiffness of the knee flexors. Clinical Biomechanics. 2004; 19(1):36-43. [DOI:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2003.09.003] [PMID]
Hatano G, Suzuki S, Matsou S, Kataura S. Hamstring stiffness returns more rapidly after static stretching than Range of Motion, stretch tolerance, and isometric peak torque. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation. 2017; 0(0):1-23. [Doi:10.1123/jsr.2017-0203] [PMID]
Ryan ED, Beck TW, Herda TJ, Hull HR, Hartman MJ, Costa PB, et al. The time course of musculotendinous stiffness responses following different durations of passive stretching. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2008; 38(10):632-9. [DOI:10.2519/jospt.2008.2843] [PMID]
| Files | ||
| Issue | Vol 12 No 3 (2018) | |
| Section | Research Article(s) | |
| Keywords | ||
| Flexibility Range of Motion Stiffness Hardness Muscle Energy Technique | ||
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How to Cite
1.
Azizi M, Shadmehr A, Malmir K, Ghotbi N, Khazaei Pour Z. The Pilot Study of the Immediate Effect of Muscle Energy Technique on Flexibility and Stiffness in Healthy Young Females. jmr. 2019;12(3):195-200.
