EFFECT OF ECCENTRIC TRAINING USING THERA-BAND, MUSCLE ENERGY TECHNIQUE AND STATIC STRETCHING IN HAMSTRING MUSCLE FLEXIBILITY OF PATIENTS WITH MECHANICAL LOW BACK PAIN- A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objectives:  To determine if the flexibility of patients with mechanical low back pain will improve after 6-weeks of eccentric exercise program and MET technique. In addition the changes in the hamstring flexibility that will occur after these interventions will be compared with 6-weeks of program of static stretching. We also determine the pain and disability of the patients.

Study design: We used pre-test post-test control group design. Subjects were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 groups: eccentric training, MET technique, and static stretching.

Method and measurement:  A total sample of 12 participants with mean age of 31.91 with tight hamstring and mechanical low back pain participated in the study. Subjects were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 groups: (A) eccentric training, (B) MET technique and (C) static stretching. Each group includes 4 Participants. They were treated for 30 seconds of intervention, 5 days in a week for six weeks.

Results: All groups, eccentric training (9.25), MET technique(6.75) and static stretching(5.00) was compared for between group and within group analysis to check statically significant improvement and shown statically significant improvement in hamstring muscle flexibility, whereas follow up analysis indicated significant differences between each  group.

Conclusion: this study shows that eccentric training, MET technique and static stretching, all are effective in increasing hamstring flexibility, but the eccentric training is more effective and statistically significant in improving hamstring muscle flexibility of patients with mechanical low back pain.

KEYWORDS:

Eccentric training, static stretching, and MET technique flexibility, injury prevention, thera-band.