Effectiveness of Muscle Energy Technique on Improving Hamstring Muscle Flexibility in High School Level Kabaddi Players

Abstract

Introduction: Kabaddi is one of the most popular games, which makes it our national pride. Kabaddi requires a lot of power, strength, flexibility, agility, speed, breath control and wariness. The game comes under contact sports and hence injuries are common. Muscle Energy Technique (MET) is a form of manual therapy used to relax the muscles via autogenic or reciprocal inhibition and lengthen the muscle, which uses muscle’s own energy in the form of gentle isometric contraction. The purpose of this study is to find out the effectiveness of MET on improving hamstring muscle flexibility, active knee extension (AKE) range, and agility in high school level kabaddi players. Subjects: 30 female amateur kabaddi players Methodology: 30 high school level Kabaddi players were assessed and selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and assigned into two groups. Group A (experimental n=15) received MET along with conventional exercises and Group B received Conventional flexibility exercises alone for 5 consecutive days. Pre-post and a follow-up measurement of hamstring flexibility, AKE and agility was taken using flexometer, 90-90 test and agility T-test. Results: Statistical analysis was done using paired and unpaired t-test. In paired t-test, the hamstring muscle flexibility improved significantly on day 5, on follow-up day 8 measurement it showed reduction in flexibility but not significant for both groups. The AKE of right and left knee joint has significantly improved on day 5 and there was significant reduction on day 8. Whereas the agility for both groups has significantly improved on day 5 and 8. On unpaired t-test, there is significant difference between both groups for all 3 outcomes. Conclusion: The Muscle energy Technique is effective on improving hamstring muscle flexibility, Active knee extension range and agility in 5 day MET programme. Therefore, concluded that Muscle Energy Technique is effective and can be administered on-field prior to sports events, and thereby improve player’s performance. Keywords: MET, Kabaddi, Hamstring injuries, Flexometer test, active knee extension test, agility T-test.