Featherston, Jessica (2006) A comparison of the effect of muscle energy technique (Chaitow method) and passive stretching on hanstring extensibility. Coursework Master thesis, Victoria University.

Abstract

This study compared the effects of the Chaitow Muscle Energy Technique (MET), with passive stretching for increasing hamstring muscle extensibility both immediately and after 30 minutes. Fifty nine asymptomatic participants were measured for hamstring length using active knee extension (AKE). AKE was recorded using digital photography, and values were calculated using computer software. After the initial measurement, participants were randomly allocated to either a passive stretch or MET intervention group. Immediately after the treatment, post-intervention measurements of AKE were recorded, and this was repeated 30 minutes later. There was a mean increase of 4.38 degrees recorded in the MET group, whereas passive stretching produced a mean increase of 2.24 degrees. Using a split-plot ANOVA, a significant change over time in the AKE values was found, however, there were no significant differences between groups. Although the measurement procedure was determined to be repeatable, modifications to the AKE methodology may have resulted in under-estimation of the error range, and raises major concerns about the validity of the measurement procedure. In view of this methodological flaw, no conclusions can be made regarding the effectiveness of the two manual techniques. Future studies are recommended using the accepted AKE methodology and measurement analysis. This minor thesis was written by a post-graduate student as part of the requirements of the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) program.

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