Effect of single bout of passive stretching and Mulligan's Bent Leg Raise (BLR) on Hamstring flexibility in young adults with asymptomatic bilateral Hamstring tightness

Abstract

Objectives: Various stretching techniques have been used to improve muscle flexibility in rehabilitation and sports. Mechanisms involving the efficacy of a stretching technique were studied and certain conclusions indicate one technique better than the other. Passive stretching is one most commonly used method and the recent inclusion of other techniques like ballistic stretching, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) techaniques with its variants and Mulligan's Bent Leg Raise (BLR) have created more scope for researchers to compare and conclude better methods for improving flexibility. The aim of the present study was to measure hamstrings flexibility after a single bout of passive hamstring muscle stretching and BLR and comparing the effects between the two techniques. Methods: 78 asymptomatic individuals with bilateral hamstring tightness were randomized to one of the two groups-passive stretching (n=39) and BLR (n=39). Hamstring flexibility was measured using Back Saver Sit and Reach Test before and after the tests for both right and left lower limbs. Results and Conclusion: Analysis using dependent revealed that both passive stretching and BLR groups improved hamstring flexibility on both sides with improvements of 3.7cm and 4cm on right and left side respectively in BLR group and 1.3cm and 2cm on right and left side respectively in passive stretching group. However results of between group comparisons using independent t tests were not significant (p=.992 and .729 respectively for right and left sides) which suggests that passive stretching is equally effective as BLR technique in improving hamstrings length.