The Role of Muscle Energy Technique on Hamstring Muscle Flexibility in Recreational Athletes: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: The hamstrings, located at the back of the thigh, are crucial for hip extension and knee flexion but are prone to tightness and injury, especially in athletes and healthy individuals. Recreational athletes with hamstring tightness often experience reduced flexibility, impaired performance in activities requiring sprinting or bending, and a higher risk of muscle strains or lower-limb injuries. Muscle Energy Technique (MET), a manual therapy using controlled muscle contractions, effectively improves flexibility, reduces pain, and enhances joint mobility, making it a valuable technique in treating hamstring tightness. Objective of The Study: This review aims to assess the effectiveness of Muscle energy technique (MET) on Hamstring flexibility in recreational athletes. It analyses the effect of MET on hamstring mobility and explores its clinical relevance in the management of hamstring tightness. Method: A comprehensive literature review in accordance with PRISMA-ScR was conducted using electronic databases from PubMed, Google Scholar, Research Gate, SPORTDiscus, and ScienceDirect, focusing on full-text articles from 2018-2024. Twelve studies that examined the effect of MET on hamstring muscle flexibility in recreational athletes were included in the analysis. Result: A total of 3799 studies were retrieved, and after removing duplicates and those not meeting inclusion criteria, 12 studies conducted between 2014 and 2024 were included, comprising RCTs, comparative, interventional, quasi-experimental, and experimental designs the findings suggest that Studies show that MET alone or in combination with techniques such as MFR, PFS, PIR, ART, SMI, WBV, PNF, or AKET in a neural slump position enhances flexibility and reduces muscle stiffness more effectively. Conclusion: MET is highly effective for improving hamstring flexibility, its neuromuscular engagement and mechanisms like post-isometric relaxation and proprioceptive enhancement lead to better results. MET can be preferred by physiotherapists for managing hamstring tightness