Muscle Tightness, Muscle Weakness
Conditions
Keywords
Contract Relax, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, Electromyography, Elderly, Flexibility, Range of Motion
Brief summary
The goal of this clinical trial was to compare the effect of two different types of stretching techniques in elderly population. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. What is the immediate effect (after a single intervention) of these stretching techniques on muscle flexibility, amount of knee joint motion and muscle activity? 2. What is the effect of a four week intervention program of these stretching techniques on muscle flexibility, amount of knee joint motion and muscle activity? There were three groups with ten randomly allocated participants in each group. Intervention group I was given a stretching technique called contract-relax technique and the Intervention group II was given static stretching. The third group was not given any treatment and was taken as a control. The main aim was to find out that whether the two techniques are effective or not and which one of the two is better than the other in terms of improvement in the above mentioned parameters.
Detailed description
The objective of the study was to compare the effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation - Contract Relax (PNF- CR) and static stretch techniques immediately and post four weeks of intervention on knee range of motion, flexibility and electromyographic activity of knee muscles among older adults. This is an outcome assessor-blinded pre-test post-test randomized controlled trial with two experimental groups (PNF-CR and Static Stretching) and a control group. 30 males aged 55-75 years were randomly assigned into PNF group (n=10), Static Stretch group (n=10) and Control group (n=10). Knee range of motion, electromyographic activity of hamstrings and sit and reach test, were taken for the dominant side thrice: pre-intervention, immediately after stretching and after the training period. Active knee range of motion (ROM) was assessed using a universal goniometer. Surface Electromyography (EMG) was used to record Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of biceps femoris and the Chair Sit-and-Reach Test (CART) was used to assess the hamstring muscle's length flexibility.
Interventions
OTHERProprioceptive Neuromuscular Stretching - Contract Relax stretching (PNF-CR)
PNF-CR utilized the concept of autogenic inhibition of the muscle for improving the flexibility of the muscle. It includes stretching a muscle after a brief period of activation.
The SS technique utilized the concept of creep for improving the hamstring flexibility. The stretch was maintained for a prolonged period passively by the therapist.
Sponsors
Jamia Millia Islamia
Deepak Malhotra
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
outcome assessor-blinded pre-test post-test randomized controlled trial
Intervention model description
30 males aged 55-75 years were randomly assigned into 3 arms - PNF group (n=10), Static Stretch group (n=10) and Control group (n=10)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
55 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Male adults aged between 55 and 75 years * Able to do activities of daily living (ADL) without assistance * Able to comprehend and follow instructions
Exclusion criteria
* Grade III or IV osteoarthritis or any other musculoskeletal condition affecting the muscle length. * History of any surgery to hip, knee, low back or ankle * History of any medication (anti-inflammatory, for pain relief, or anti-arthritic) in previous six months * History of life-threatening disease (neurological disease, cardiovascular disease, severe hypertension) * Passive full knee extension (popliteal angle 180 degrees)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Active Knee Range of Motion | Baseline, After 1st intervention (immediate), 4 weeks after intervention | The active extension knee range of motion was measured using a universal goniometer. |
| Change in Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC) | Baseline, After 1st intervention (immediate), 4 weeks after intervention | The Electromyographic activity of the biceps femoris muscle was evaluated using the surface electrodes during the maximal isometric contraction. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Hamstring flexibility | Baseline, After 1st intervention (immediate), 4 weeks after intervention | The hamstring flexibility was measured using the Chair Sit and Reach Test (CART) |
Countries
India
Outcome results
None listed