The effects of three types of piriform muscle stretching on muscle thickness and the medial rotation angle of the coxal articulation

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was three kinds of stretching methods and measured the change in the thickness of the piriform muscle in real time using ultrasound images and compared the medial rotation angle of the coxal articulation. [Subjects and Methods] Fourty-five subjects who attend B University in Cheonan, divided into three groups. The subjects in these three groups then underwent stretching with flexion of coxal articulation over 90°, stretching with flexion of coxal articulation under 90°, and muscle energy technique (MET) application. The main outcome measures were piriform muscle thickness and medial rotation angle of the coxal articulation. [Results] All groups showed decreased piriform muscle thickness and increased medial rotation angle of the coxal articulation. [Conclusion] Based on the above results, three kinds of piriform muscle stretching methods are effective of reduce muscle thickness and increase medial rotation angle of the coxal articulation.