MASSAGE COMBINED WITH MUSCLE ENERGY TECHNIQUE COULD IMPROVE HEIGHT OF SEPAKTAKRAW SERVES

Abstract

Flexibility of hamstring muscles is very important in the height of Sepaktakraw serves. The most
beneficial type of stretching of lower limb muscles for this sport has not been verified. This study aimed to
evaluate the effects of applied Thai massage combined with muscle energy technique (ATMMET) versus
passive static stretching technique (PSST) on hamstring flexibility and the height of a Sepaktakraw serve. One
hundred and eight healthy Sepaktakraw amateur athletes were randomly allocated to 3 comparison groups.
Subjects in the ATMMET group and the PSST group received a 10 min session of corresponding intervention,
whereas the subjects in the control group sat on a chair without intervention for the same period of time. Passive
straight leg raise test (PSLR) and the height of Sepaktakraw serves were measured at 3 consecutive periods,
consisting of pre-test, post-test, and 24 hours after intervention. An analysis of two-way repeated measures
ANOVA found that there was a statistically significant difference in hamstring flexibility and the height of
Sepaktakraw serves in both intervention groups but not in the control group. However, no significant differences
were found between the three groups (p >0.05). We conclude that both ATMMET and PSST may improve
hamstring flexibility and the height of a Sepaktakraw serve immediately