Immediate Effect of Active Release Technique (ART) and Dynamic Soft Tissue Mobilization (DSTM) on Hamstring Tightness in Young Adults

Muscular flexibility is an important aspect of normal human function. Limited flexibility has been shown to predispose a person to several musculoskeletal overuse injuries and significantly affects a person’s level of function [1]. Muscular tightness is frequently postulated as an intrinsic risk factor for the development of a muscle injury. Lack of flexibility has been suggested as a predisposing factor for hamstring strains [2]. Decreased hamstring flexibility is suggested to be one of the predisposing factors for hamstring strains and hamstring stretches are routinely used as part of a pre-exercise routine, usually after an aerobic warm-up [3]. Proposed a theoretical model for hamstring strains, suggesting that they result from a complex interaction of four etiologic factors: warm-up, strength, fatigue, and flexibility. Reasons for stretching relate to beliefs that stretching exercises will increase flexibility and decrease muscle stiffness. Maintaining normal muscle length requires regular stretching to prevent muscle stiffness, decreases risk of musculoskeletal injuries and enhance physical performance. Maintaining the flexibility of hamstring muscle is important for general and athletic population and of utmost importance for health care professionals, to achieve this goal one needs to know the most effective and efficient technique to gain hamstring flexibility [1]. Active release technique therapy for the hamstrings is designed to alleviate pain and tightness and help the hamstring to return to its normal condition. Active release technique has three unique objectives: Restoring free and unimpeded movement of soft tissue, the release of entrapped nerves, vasculature and lymphatic, and to re-establish optimal texture, resilience and function of soft tissues. Study has been done demonstrating that single session of Active release technique treatment is effective in a group of healthy, active male participants in improving hamstring flexibility [4]. Dynamic soft tissue mobilizations Techniques which are commonly used by athletes to increase flexibility include static and ballistic stretching as well as Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (Figure 1). It is widely Volume 3 Issue 1 2018