Comparison of utilizing modified hold-relax, muscle energy technique, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization on hamstring muscle length in healthy athletes: Randomized controlled trial

Salman Nazary-Moghadam; Afrooz Yahya-Zadeh; Mohammad Ali Zare; Mobina Ali Mohammadi; Parviz Marouzi; Afsaneh Zeinalzadeh

doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.04.079

Comparison of utilizing modified hold-relax, muscle energy technique, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization on hamstring muscle length in healthy athletes: Randomized controlled trial

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2023 Jul:35:151-157. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.04.079. Epub 2023 Apr 21.

Authors

Salman Nazary-Moghadam¹, Afrooz Yahya-Zadeh², Mohammad Ali Zare², Mobina Ali Mohammadi³, Parviz Marouzi⁴, Afsaneh Zeinalzadeh⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Therapy, School of Paramedical and Rehabilitation Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Orthopaedic Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
² Department of Physical Therapy, School of Paramedical and Rehabilitation Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
³ Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
⁴ Department of Medical Records and Health Information Technology, School of Paramedical Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
⁵ Department of Physical Therapy, School of Paramedical and Rehabilitation Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Electronic address: ZeinalzadehAF@mums.ac.ir.

PMID: 37330762
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.04.079

Abstract

Introduction: The hamstring muscle shortness is the primary risk factor for sports-related injuries. Numerous treatments are available for lengthening of hamstring muscle. The main purpose of this study was to compare the immediate effect of modified hold-relax, muscle energy technique (MET), and instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization-Graston techniques (IASTM-GT) on length of hamstring muscle in young healthy athletes.

Methods: 60 athletes comprising of 29 females and 31 males were recruited in the present study. Participants were allocated to 3 groups of IASTM-GT (N = 20, 13 male, 7 female), Modified Hold-relax (N = 20, 8 male, 12 female), and MET (N = 20, 7 male, 13 female). Active knee extension and passive straight leg raising (SLR), and toe touch test were performed before and immediately after the intervention by a blinded assessor. For the comparison of dependent variables across time, 3*2 repeated measure ANOVA was utilized.

Results: Interaction of group by time was significant for passive SLR (P < 0.001). Interaction of group by time was not significant for active knee extension (P = 0.17). The results showed that dependent variables increased significantly in all groups. The effect size (Cohen's d) in the groups of IASTM-GT, modified Hold-relax, and MET was 1.7, 3.17, and 3.12, respectively.

Conclusion: Although the measures were improved in all groups, it seems that IASTM-GT can be used as a safe and efficient treatment, which can be a suitable candidate alongside modified hold-relax and MET for increasing the hamstrings muscle length in healthy athletes.

Keywords: Hamstring muscles; Humans; Isometric contraction; Knee joint; Manipulation; Muscle stretching exercises.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Athletes
Female
Hamstring Muscles* / physiology
Humans
Knee Joint / physiology
Male
Muscle Stretching Exercises*
Range of Motion, Articular / physiology