Combination of Two Osteopathic Techniques for the Hamstring's Stretching Capacity in Basketball Female Players

The muscular energy technique (MET) is a manual therapy technique that uses isometric contractions with the aim of increasing the extensibility of the muscle group, as well as promoting lymphatic and venous circulation. The fourth ventricle technique (CV-four) plays an amplifying role in the movement of tissues and fluids, restoring the flexibility of the autonomous response. For the MET, the researcher adopted a position homolateral to the dominant limb, contacting the lower limb with the caudal hand in the region of the malleoli. He then helped the participant to perform the movement, which consisted of flexion of the hip and extension of the knee passively until the motor barrier was reached, after which she was instructed to perform an isometric contraction of the hamstring. A total of three contractions of seven seconds with an interval of two to three seconds were requested, using approximately twenty per cent of their maximum force, and gaining a new motor barrier between each series, for a total of three series. For the CV-four technique, the researcher adopted a seated position and laterally contacted the scaly portion of the occiput, bringing it closer to the posterior convexity of the occiput, bringing the skull into extension, changing the compression movement with decompression, until three minutes had elapsed. At all stages of the session, the participant was positioned in the supine position, with the upper limbs alongside the body and the neck in a neutral position. All the participants in the study underwent an initial and final assessment protocol to determine their range of motion (ROM).

• Simulated technique (Other): The participant was in a supine position, with her upper limbs at her sides and her neck in a neutral position. The researcher sat in a cephalic position, making contact with the participant's shoulders, without any movement, until 5 minutes had elapsed.
• Muscle energy technique (Other): The participant was in a supine position, with her upper limbs alongside her body and her neck in a neutral position. The researcher adopted a position homolateral to the dominant limb, contacting the lower limb with the caudal hand in the region of the malleoli. He then helped the participant to perform the movement, which consisted of flexing the hip and extending the knee passively until the motor barrier was reached, and instructed her to perform an isometric contraction of the hamstrings. She was asked to perform three 7-second contractions with a 2 to 3-second interval, using approximately 20% of her maximum strength, gaining a new motor barrier between each set, for a total of three sets.
• 4th ventricle technique and muscular energy technique (Other): The participant was in a supine position, with her upper limbs alongside her body and her neck in a neutral position. For CV-4, the researcher contacted the squamous portion of the occiput laterally, bringing it close to the posterior convexity of the occiput, bringing the skull into extension, changing the compression movement with decompression, until 3 minutes had elapsed. For the MET, the researcher adopted a position homolateral to the dominant limb, contacting the lower limb with the caudal hand in the region of the malleoli. She then helped the participant to perform the movement, which consisted of flexing the hip and extending the knee passively to the motor barrier, having been instructed to perform an isometric contraction of the hamstring. A total of 3 7-second contractions with a 2-3 second interval were requested, using approximately 20% of her maximum strength, and with a new motor barrier being gained between each series, for a total of 3 series.

Primary outcomes

• Altered range of motion of the hamstring muscles. [10 minutes after intervention.]: The universal goniometer is a tool used to assess joint ROM.

Sex: Female, ages: 18 Years to 30 Years, accepts healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

* Over 18 years old
* Female
* Playing federated basketball
* Signature of informed consent documents

Exclusion Criteria:

* Surgical intervention/trauma in the areas of activity (cervical-cranial and lower limb)
* Exposure to medicinal therapy
* Participants with hypertension
* Participants at risk of cerebral hemorrhage (e.g. aneurysm)

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• Natália MO Campelo, PhD, Principal investigator, Escola Superior de Saúde do Politecnico do Porto