The Immediate Effect of Muscle Energy Technique Versus Active Release Technique on Hamstring Tightness in Footballers
Authors: Sheth Ruhi , Akhter Rizvi Syed Rais 
Published: May 2022

Background and purpose: Most often, attention is focused on management of pain and injuries and decreased muscle strength in football players while little attention is given to flexibility. The objective of this study was to assess and compare the immediate effectiveness of a type of Muscle Energy Technique (MET), Post Isometric Relaxation (PIR) and Active Release Technique (ART) in increasing hamstring flexibility among recreational and professional footballers aged 18-30 years. MET is used to lengthen a tight muscle, strengthen weak muscles, reduce localised oedema or mobilize an articulation with adhesion or restriction MET consists of different techniques, one of which is Post Isometric Relaxation Technique (PIR). PIR uses an agonistic isometric contractual phase after a passive stretch. On the other hand, ART is a soft tissue manipulation technique developed my Dr. Leahy which breaks tissue adhesions thereby relieving muscle stiffness/ tightness. There is abundant literature on these techniques. However there is a dearth of documentation comparing these two techniques. So the effort of the study is to compare the effectiveness of MET (PIR) and ART on hamstring tightness in footballers.
Method: This study was an experimental study. The subjects were selected on the basis of Simple Random Sampling method. 30 subjects were selected, in the age ranging from 18-30 years. They were assigned to two groups- Group A (n=15) received a type of Muscle Energy Technique (MET), Post Isometric Relaxation (PIR) and Group B (n=15) received Active Release Technique (ART). Both the groups performed a set of 3 exercises- eccentric and core stability and pilates after the intervention. Pre and post intervention measures were taken to assess the hamstring tightness. This was done by Active Knee Extension Test (AKET) and Sit and Reach Test (S&R Test).
Results: When means were analyzed using Paired ‘t’ test as a parametric and Wilcoxon signed rank test as a non-parametric test have been used to analyse the variables pre- intervention to post-intervention with calculation of percentage of change, there was a statistically significant improvements in means of AKET and S&R Test. The findings of the study suggest that both the interventions have an immediate effect on hamstring tightness. More importantly, the results revealed that the intervention of Group B showed more reduction in hamstring tightness than the interventions delivered of Group A.
Conclusion: Th present study concludes that both MET (PIR) and ART are effective in reducing hamstring tightness and increasing knee extension range of motion in recreational and professional footballers. However, there existed a significant difference between both the techniques on hamstring tightness. ART was more effective in increasing hamstring flexibility and increasing knee extension range of motion among footballers.
Implications: Muscle Energy Technique (Post Isometric Relaxation) and Active Release Technique both can be used to treat people and athletes with hamstring tightness. But effects of Active Release Technique in increasing hamstring flexibility and increasing knee extension range of motion among footballers is more dominant over the effects of Muscle Energy Technique (Post Isometric Relaxation). Hence, in sport physiotherapy protocols, ART can be used.

Keywords: Hamstring Tightness, Muscle Energy Technique, Post Isometric Relaxation, Active Release Technique, Active Knee Extension Test, Sit and Reach Test.