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Effect of Active and Positional Release on Hamstring Flexibility in Athletes

NCT07167602 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 74

Last updated 2025-09-11

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Hamstring shortening is common in athletes and often causes pain, limited flexibility, and reduced function, which negatively impact performance. Manual therapy techniques such as Active Release Therapy (ART) and Positional Release Therapy (PRT) are frequently used, but their comparative effectiveness remains unclear.

This randomized, single-blinded clinical trial enrolled 74 athletes aged 18-35 years with hamstring shortening at the University of Lahore. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either PRT with conventional physiotherapy (hot pack, TENS, stretching, ankle pumps) or ART with the same physiotherapy protocol. Each group received two supervised sessions per week for four weeks.

The primary outcomes were pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale), range of motion (Popliteal Angle), and functional ability (Lower Extremity Functional Scale). The Active Knee Extension test was used as a secondary outcome.

This study seeks to determine which manual therapy approach provides greater improvements in pain, flexibility, and function, with the goal of guiding evidence-based rehabilitation for athletes.

Conditions

  • Hamstring Shortening, Short Hamstring Syndrome

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Positional Release Therapy

A manual therapy technique applied to the medial and lateral hamstrings after conventional physiotherapy. In PRT, the affected muscle is placed in a position of maximal comfort and relative shortening, while gentle pressure and controlled joint movements are applied. This position is held for approximately 30 seconds and repeated three times per session. The method aims to decrease neuromuscular tension, reduce pain, and promote muscle relaxation through a reflexive response. Distinct from Active Release Therapy, PRT does not involve active contractions or longitudinal tension but instead relies on positioning and relaxation to achieve therapeutic effects.

BEHAVIORAL

Active Release Therapy

A manual therapy technique applied to the hamstrings after conventional physiotherapy. ART combines therapist-applied longitudinal tension with patient movement and brief isometric contractions of both hamstrings and quadriceps. The limb is guided through specific ranges of motion to break down adhesions, restore tissue mobility, and improve flexibility. Unlike Positional Release Therapy, ART is an active technique requiring patient engagement through contractions and controlled movement against resistance, targeting scar tissue and myofascial restrictions.

OTHER

Conventional Physiotherapy

Hot pack, TENS, hamstring stretching, ankle pumps (common to both groups).

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Lahore

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Muhammad Asim Arif · University Institute of Physical Therapy, University of Lahore

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
35 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-07-01
Primary Completion
2025-08-29
Completion
2025-08-29

Countries

  • Pakistan

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07167602 on ClinicalTrials.gov