Comparison of proprioceptive neuro-muscular facilitation and mulligan stretching on hamstring tightness in recreational football players

Abstract

Background: Due to increasing popularity of football in India, youngsters have taken football as recreational sports. Because of the lack of proper training there is a high chance of getting injury. Short hamstring have been identified with various lower limb injuries. Purpose: The purpose was to compare the effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and mulligan stretching on sprint, agility and flexibility. Method: Eighty two subjects were taken based on the inclusion criteria and allocated into two groups, Group A (PNF stretching) and Group B (Mulligan TSLR Stretching) of forty-one of each, using purposive sampling technique. The total stretching session was given 3 times a week for 6 consecutive weeks. Sprint using 40-yards dash test, agility using Illinois agility test and flexibility using active knee extension test was measured. Data was analysed using descriptive and interferential statistics. Results: Between the group comparisons / Parametric ANOVA (F-test), pretest AKE for right leg (degrees) (F-test = 0.06183, Not Significant, p>0.05), AKE for left leg (degrees) (F-test = 0.05725, Not Significant, p>0.05), 40 Yards dash test (seconds) (F-test = 13.073, Significant, p>0.05), Illinois Agility (Seconds) (F-test = 0.07236, Not Significant, p>0.05). Post-test AKE for right leg (degrees) (F-test = 163.040, Significant, p