IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF ACTIVE RELEASE TECHNIQUE VERSUS QUARTER LEG PULL TECHNIQUE ON HAMSTRING TIGHTNESS FOR SPEED AND FLEXIBILITY IN RECREATIONAL FEMALE ATHLETES- A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF ACTIVE RELEASE TECHNIQUE VERSUS QUARTER LEG PULL TECHNIQUE ON HAMSTRING TIGHTNESS FOR SPEED AND****FLEXIBILITY IN RECREATIONAL FEMALE ATHLETES- A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

AIM:

To determine the immediate effect of active release technique and quarter leg pull technique on hamstrings tightness for speed and flexibility in recreational female athletes.

OBJECTIVES:

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the immediate effect of active release technique versus quarter leg pull technique for flexibility and speed using active knee extension test, sit to reach test and speed using radar gun for hamstring tightness in recreational female athletes.

HYPOTHESIS:

Null Hypothesis H0: There will be no difference in the effect of active release techniques and quarter leg pull technique on hamstring tightness in female athlete

Alternate Hypothesis H1: There will be difference in the effect of active release techniques and quarter leg pull technique on hamstring tightness in female athletes.

Inclusion Criteria:

Recreational Female athletes with  age group of 18-25 years with hamstring tightness

Active knee extension (AKE angle > 20 degrees)

Exclusion Criteria:

Vascular Conditions such as varicose veins or peripheral artery disease.

Acute inflammation or recent injury to the lower limb.

Healing fractures or unhealed dislocations.

PROCEDURE:

·       Ethical clearance will be obtained by the Institutional Ethical Committee and CTRI registration will be done

·       Participants will be screened based on inclusion and exclusion criteria prior to the enrollment of the study

·       The purpose of the study will be explained to the participants and  a written consent will be obtained from the participants

·       Flexibility and speed of the participants will be assessed pre and immediately post intervention and after 24 hour of intervention  and then 3 days after follow up

·       Both the Experimental group will receive the respective intervention  immediately

·       Pre and post intervention data will be recorded, tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis

Group A- Active Release Technique. (ART)

The group received a single ART session**.**

Step 1: Subject lies supine on the plinth and gentle tension will be applied to the hamstring muscle along the entire length while stretching the leg in different positions to better work the muscle.

Step 2: Gentle tension will be applied at the origin and insertion of the hamstring muscle.

Step 3: Gentle tension will be applied around the adductors and gluteus muscle because hamstring connects to these muscles and that could be the source of hamstring tightness

Group B: Quarter Leg Pull Technique

Step 1: The procedure will begin with the patient supine , leg adducted to neutral, the patella and foot points up and the entire leg in neutral rotation , and stretch is applied using traction equal to the weight of the patient’s leg.

Step 2: The heel of the foot is cupped with the therapist’s dominant hand and the forefoot is held with the other hand. The therapist’s thumb rests on the bottom of the patient’s foot proximal to the metatarsal head .

Step 3:Using the body weight, the therapist leans back until the elbows are fully extended till the weight of the subject’s leg will be counterbalanced ensuring no contact of the patient’s leg with the treatment table.

Step 4:Then slowly the therapist will begin to dorsiflex the patient’s foot until resistance is felt. The position will be held until release will be felt and an in-creased angle of dorsiflexion is achieved.

Step 5: The technique will be stopped with the patient’s foot in neutral or 90 degree positions, and the traction will be in-creased until the therapist feels resistance and the end feel is reached. From here if the subject’s knee is permitted, the therapist maintains traction and slowly works to increase the movements of the hip in different planes until release is noted.