Comparison of cyclic loading and hold relax technique in increasing resting length of hamstring muscles

Abstract

Abstract To evaluate and compare the effects of hold-relax technique and cyclic loading technique on increasing the resting length of hamstring muscles. Design and Setting This was a randomised intervention trial. The setting was an academic rehabilitation centre, which provided physical therapist assistant programs under the supervision of a biomechanics expert. Thirty-six healthy male subjects who exhibited bilateral hamstring muscle tightness (18–30 years of age) volunteered to participate in this study. For each subject, one leg was randomised to receive the hold-relax technique, whereas the other side received the cyclic loading technique. The treatment was applied every alternate day for 3 consecutive weeks. Stretching sessions were supervised by the biomechanics specialist. Measurements were taken before and after the 3-week treatment period by the same investigator, who was blindfolded to the allocation of treatment. The popliteal angle and stretch pain (measured by the visual analogue scale) were the two parameters considered. The analysis was done using the paired t tests. The results showed that both the hold relax and cyclic loading stretch produced significant difference in the popliteal angle and stretch pain ( p