Comparison of Three Different Physiotherapeutic Interventions in Improving Hamstring Flexibility in Individuals with Hamstring Tightness.

INTRODUCTION : Hamstring is the common muscle which undergoes for adaptive shortening comparing with other major muscle groups. Hamstring refers to the three posterior thigh muscles or to the tendons that make up the borders of the space behind the knee. They usually refer to the posterior thigh muscle or the tendons of the semitendinosus, semimembranosus and biceps femoris. The three muscles of the posterior thigh will flex the knee while all but the short head of biceps femoris extend the hip. Tight hamstring affect posture, gait, and the way that the body moves during exercise. Hamstring tightness occurs due to immobilization of a tissue in a shortened position which results in decreased elasticity of normal tissue, a change in the length tension relationship of the muscle and loss of flexibility. AIM : To compare the effect of muscle energy technique and ultrasound therapy with active static stretching, passive static stretching in improving the hamstring flexibility in individuals with hamstring tightness. OBJECTIVES : • To study the effect of muscle energy technique in improving the hamstring flexibility in individuals with hamstring tightness. • To study the effect of ultrasound therapy with active static stretching in improving the hamstring flexibility in individuals with hamstring tightness. • To study the effect of passive static stretching in improving the hamstring flexibility in individuals with hamstring tightness. • To compare the effect of muscle energy technique and ultrasound therapy with active static stretching, passive static stretching in improving the hamstring flexibility in individuals with hamstring tightness. METHODS : Study Design - Pre test and post test experimental group study design. Study Setting - Study will be conducted at Physiotherapy Out Patient Department, KG College of Physiotherapy, Coimbatore. Study Duration - Total duration was one year. Each individual received the treatment for the duration of two weeks. Population Studied -45 individuals with hamstring tightness who fulfilled the predetermined inclusive and exclusive criteria were selected and divided into 3 experimental group by simple random sampling method. Each group consists of 15 patients. Groups are named as group A, B, and C. RESULTS : 45 individuals with hamstring tightness were divided into three groups. Group A were treated with muscle energy technique. Group B were treated with ultrasound with active static stretching and group C with passive static stretching. Hamstring flexibility was measured by active knee extension test. The results showed that there was a significant difference between muscle energy technique, ultrasound therapy with active static stretching and passive static stretching in improving hamstring flexibility in individuals with hamstring tightness. CONCLUSION : This study concluded that muscle energy technique is more effective than ultrasound therapy with active static stretching and passive static stretching in improving the hamstring flexibility in individuals with hamstring tightness.