EFFECTIVENESS OF POSITIONAL RELEASE TECHNIQUE VERSUS ACTIVE RELEASE TECHNIQUE ON HAMSTRINGS TIGHTNESS

Abstract

Background: Hamstrings tightness a form of chronic dysfunction, is a sub-clinical problem often missed and manifests in form of musculoskeletal pain or injuries. Positional Release Technique (PRT) and Active Release Technique (ART) is a manual therapy technique of osteopathic origin. Its efficacy and effectiveness are under-researched, with little evidence available to guide the practitioners about the most useful and efficacious technique to increase the length of shortened muscles. Hence, this study aims at finding out an effective variant Positional Release Technique and Active Release Technique which has an immediate effect on hamstrings flexibility. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to find out the effectiveness of Positional Release technique and Active Release technique on Hamstring Tightness. Methodology: Sixty participants with hamstrings tightness meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were allocated into four groups: Group A:PRT , Group B:ART , with Twenty nine participants in PRT group and Twenty Eight in ART Group. Pre intervention and post intervention Active knee extension test (AKE) and Sit to reach test was measured using universal goniometer and measuring Scale to determine the effectiveness of the technique. Results: Pre intervention the mean baseline scores of AKE and Sit to reach test for Group A, Group B, when compared to their post intervention scores showed a highly significant (p<0.01) improvement. Conclusion: Active Release Technique can be used as an effective physiotherapeutic intervention in reducing hamstrings tightness instantly.