Effects of Sub-Occipital Muscles Inhibition and Self Stretch on Calf and Hamstring Muscle Tightness: One Time Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: Muscle tightness is the most limiting factor for restricted ROM and decreased joint flexibility. Hamstring and calf muscles are more prone to getting tight, which causes musculoskeletal problems. This study focused on checking the effects of various therapeutic techniques, including the sub-occipital muscle inhibition technique and self-stretching technique, on hamstring and calf muscle flexibility in subjects with tight muscle groups. Objectives: To determine the effects of sub-occipital muscle inhibition and self-stretch on calf and hamstring muscle tightness. Methodology: A total number of 60 subjects aged between 20 and 45years were analyzed for the Active knee extension test, Passive dorsiflexion test, and Sit and reach test to assess the sub-occipital muscle inhibition and self-stretch on calf and hamstring muscle tightness. Result: Showed significant improvement in AKE following suboccipital muscle inhibition (pre= 135.9; post = 162.63) and self-stretching (pre= 137.53; post=162.13) Had been obtained by comparing pre and post-intervention values of outcome measures AKE () (AKE, SRT and Ankle DF) by using paired t-test whereas between-group comparison of post, data mean and SD is done by impaired t-test. Conclusion: From the results, it is concluded that the sub-occipital muscle inhibition technique is more effective in relieving tightness from the hamstring and calf group of muscles as compared to the self-stretching technique in AKE, SRT, and Ankle dorsiflexion. Keywords: calf muscle tightness, Hamstring muscle tightness.