2018, Vol. 5, Issue 6, Part A

Objectives: To compare the effect of Bent Leg Raise and Traction Straight Leg Raise on hamstring muscle tightness and lumbar spine mobility.

Methods: Total number of 60 marathon runners between age 18-35 years of both genders with more than 1 year of experience were selected by simple random sampling, and were divide into three groups of 20each, Group A, B and C using envelop method. Subjects in Group A received Bent Leg Raise technique and static stretching, Group B received Traction Straight Leg Raise and static stretching, and Group C received static stretching. Participants were assessed for hamstring tightness with Active Knee Extension Test (AKET) and readings were noted and lumbar mobility was assessed using Modified- Modified Schober Test (MMST) and. Assessment was done on pre and post intervention on Day 1, 4, 7, 10 and 14.

Results:This study showed significant improvement in AKE RIGHT( 3± 4.104),AKET LEFT(2.75±3.432), MMST FLEXION (6.495 ± 0.4936) and MMST EXTENSION (2.52 ± 0.3982) of Group A as compared to Group B AKE RIGHT (18.45± 9.741), AKET LEFT (17.75 ± 7.580), MMST FLEXION (5.89 ± 0.4866) and MMST EXTENSION (2.945 ± 0.3734) and Group C AKE RIGHT (26.3± 13.255), AKET LEFT (24.7 ±10.569), MMST FLEXION (5.390 ± 0.5839) and MMST EXTENSION (3.835 ± 0.7307).

Conclusion:Bent Leg Raise is more effective than Traction Straight Leg Raise in altering the hamstring muscle flexibility and lumbar spine mobility in marathon runners.