A comparative study of dynamic soft tissue mobilization vs. passive stretching technique to improve the flexibility of hamstrings in cricket players.

Different therapies are available for correcting the tightness of hamstring muscles. Objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Dynamic Soft Tissue Mobilization DSTM technique and Passive Stretching PS to improve the flexibility of tight hamstrings in cricket players. A total of 120 cricket players having tightness of hamstrings were enrolled and randomized into two groups A and B using lottery method. Group-A was treated with DSTM and group-B with PS to improve the flexibility of hamstrings. Active Knee Extension Angle AKEA test was used to measure the hamstring tightness as it is a gold standard test for this purpose. The mean value of AKEA, pre-treatment score deficient to 180 degrees for DSTM was 25.66 ± 6.90, and that of PS was 25.46 ± 6.89, while the post-treatment score was 10.81 ± 4.30, and 18.63 ± 7.06 respectively. Post-treatment score for DSTM was statistically lower than PS. (p-value < 0.05). So it was concluded that it is better to use DSTM for acquiring better results.