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Comparing the effects of Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretches(PNF) and Muscle energy technique(MET) techniques on strength, balance, and flexibility in athletes with hamstring shortness.

Protocol summary

Study aim
The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of two active stretching techniques, namely proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and muscle energy (MET), on flexibility, strength, and dynamic balance in athletes with hamstring shortening.
Design
This study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design and two experimental groups. A total of 38 athletes with hamstring tightness were randomly assigned to two PNF and control groups.
Settings and conduct
Corrective Exercise and Pathology Laboratory, Allameh Tabatabaei University
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria were hamstring shortening confirmed by active and passive knee extension angle testing (angle greater than 20 degrees), no history of severe injury, surgery, back pain, or leg pain in the past six months, no neuromuscular problems affecting balance, no use of medications affecting muscle function and balance, and willingness and ability to participate in all phases of the research protocol. Exclusion criteria included no confirmation of hamstring shortening on active testing, new acute or chronic lower extremity injuries, symptoms of paralysis or tingling in the lower extremity, presence of neurological or musculoskeletal disorders that would alter balance or strength, and inability to complete all phases of the stretching protocol or voluntary withdrawal.
Intervention groups
The present study is a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design and two experimental groups. The effect of the type of stretching program as an independent variable (at two levels: PNF technique and MET technique) on the dependent variables of the study including flexibility, strength, and dynamic balance of the hamstring muscles will be investigated.
Main outcome variables
Improvements in balance, flexibility, and strength and comparison of changes between stretching methods

General information

Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number: IRCT20260801070478N1
Registration date: 2026-08-05, 1405/05/14
Registration timing: prospective

Last update: 2026-08-05, 1405/05/14
Update count: 0
Registration date
2026-08-05, 1405/05/14
Registrant information
Name
Armin Afifi
Name of organization / entity
Allameh tabatabai university
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 44 3365 9843
Email address
armin_afifi@atu.ac.ir
Recruitment status
recruiting
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2026-08-11, 1405/05/20
Expected recruitment end date
2026-09-21, 1405/06/30
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
Comparing the effects of Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretches(PNF) and Muscle energy technique(MET) techniques on strength, balance, and flexibility in athletes with hamstring shortness.
Public title
Comparing the effects of two stretching techniques on strength, balance, and flexibility in athletes with hamstring shortness.
Purpose
Supportive
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Having hamstring shortening confirmed using active and passive knee extension angle testing (angle greater than 20 degrees) No severe injury, history of surgery, back pain, or leg pain in the past six months, no neuromuscular problems affecting balance Avoid using medications that affect muscle function, balance, and fitness. Willingness and ability to participate in all stages of the research protocol
Exclusion criteria:
Age
From 18 years old to 29 years old
Gender
Male
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
No information
Sample size
Target sample size: 38
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
N/A
Randomization description
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Not blinded
Blinding description
Placebo
Not used
Assignment
Parallel
Other design features

Secondary Ids

empty

Ethics committees

1

Ethics committee
Name of ethics committee
Allameh Tabatabaei University Research Ethics Committee
Street address
Shahid Hemmat Student Dormitory, Susan Ave, Sattarkhan Blvd
City
Tehran
Province
Tehran
Postal code
1452654861
Approval date
2025-06-09, 1404/03/19
Ethics committee reference number
IR/ethics.2025.85999.1312

Health conditions studied

1

Description of health condition studied
hamstring shortness
ICD-10 code
ICD-10 code description

Primary outcomes

1

Description
People with hamstring tightness
Timepoint
Before and after interventions
Method of measurement
Active and passive knee extension test

Secondary outcomes

empty

Intervention groups

1

Description
Intervention group: Receive PNF stretching for two weeks, two sessions per week
Category
Rehabilitation

2

Description
Intervention group: Receive MET stretching for two weeks, two sessions per week
Category
Rehabilitation

Recruitment centers

1

Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Faculty of Sport Sciences, Allameh Tabatabaei University
Full name of responsible person
Armin Afifi
Street address
Shahid Hemmat Student Dormitory, Susan Ave, Sattarkhan Blv
City
Tehran
Province
Tehran
Postal code
1452654861
Phone
+98 44 3365 9843
Email
afifiarmin@gmail.com

Sponsors / Funding sources

1

Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
Allameh Tabatabai university
Full name of responsible person
Farideh Babakhani
Street address
Shahid Hemmat Student Dormitory, Susan Ave, Sattarkhan Blvd
City
Tehran
Province
Tehran
Postal code
1452654861
Phone
+98 44 3365 9843
Email
afifiarmin@gmail.com
Grant name
Grant code / Reference number
Is the source of funding the same sponsor organization/entity?
No
Title of funding source
Allameh Tabatabai university
Proportion provided by this source
100
Public or private sector
Public
Domestic or foreign origin
Domestic
Category of foreign source of funding
empty
Country of origin
Type of organization providing the funding
Academic

Person responsible for general inquiries

Contact
Name of organization / entity
Allameh Tabatabai university
Full name of responsible person
Armin Afifi
Position
master student
Latest degree
Master
Other areas of specialty/work
corrective exercises
Street address
Shahid Hemmat Student Dormitory, Susan Ave, Sattarkhan Blvd
City
Tehran
Province
Tehran
Postal code
1452654861
Phone
+98 44 3365 9843
Email
afifiarmin@gmail.com

Person responsible for scientific inquiries

Contact
Name of organization / entity
Allameh Tabatabai university
Full name of responsible person
Armin Afifi
Position
master student
Latest degree
Master
Other areas of specialty/work
corrective exercises
Street address
Shahid Hemmat Student Dormitory, Susan Ave, Sattarkhan Blvd
City
Tehran
Province
Tehran
Postal code
1452654861
Phone
+98 44 3365 9843
Email
afifiarmin@gmail.com

Person responsible for updating data

Contact
Name of organization / entity
Allameh Tabatabai university
Full name of responsible person
Armin Afifi
Position
master student
Latest degree
Master
Other areas of specialty/work
corrective exercises
Street address
Shahid Hemmat Student Dormitory, Susan Ave, Sattarkhan Blvd
City
Tehran
Province
Tehran
Postal code
1452654861
Phone
+98 44 3365 9843
Email
afifiarmin@gmail.com

Sharing plan

Deidentified Individual Participant Data Set (IPD)
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Study Protocol
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Statistical Analysis Plan
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Informed Consent Form
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Clinical Study Report
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Analytic Code
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Data Dictionary
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Title and more details about the data/document
Some data, such as information related to the main outcome or the like, can be shared.
When the data will become available and for how long
Access period starts 6 months after results are published.
To whom data/document is available
The data will only be available to researchers working in academic and scientific institutions.
Under which criteria data/document could be used
Can be used in all conditions.
From where data/document is obtainable
Responsible email: afifiarmin@gmail.com
What processes are involved for a request to access data/document
The request will be answered within three business days of receiving the email.
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