ABSTRACT

Background of the study: Hamstring is a group of muscle essential for flexion of knee and extension of hip.Hence hamstring flexibility is essential for the activities of Daily Living. Hamstring tightness may decrease the output of a person’s activity.  The purpose of the study is to find the effectiveness of two PNF stretching techniques (Hold Relax and Contract Relax-Antagonist Contract) on improving hamstring flexibility.

Materials and Methods: Samples are randomly selected from the college students and divided in to two equal groups. Each group consists of 15 samples. Group A treated with hold-relax stretching, Group B treated with contract relax antagonist relax stretching. Samples are positioned in supine lying with hip and knee flexed at 90degree. Straps are used for the stabilization of hip and lower extremity. For each group stretching technique was performed 3 times in a week. The total period of experiment was 6 weeks. At the end of each week, the knee extension was measured with the help of universal goniometer.

Result: Both the group have reported increase in hamstring flexibility. Group-Bwith Contract Relax-Antagonist Contract found more effective in improving hamstring flexibility with significant difference of P<0.001.

Conclusion: This study shows that both PNF hold relax and PNF contract relax antagonist contract stretching is effective in improving hamstring flexibility. However PNF contract relax antagonist contract stretching technique was better than PNF hold relax stretching technique in improving the hamstring muscle flexibility.

Keywords: Hamstring flexibility, PNF-Hold Relax, PNF-Contract Relax Antagonist Contract.