Effectiveness of Muscle Energy Technique and Passive Stretching on Posterior Shoulder Tightness in Cricket Bowlers - A Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction Repeated overhead motions during bowling leads to microtrauma and development of fibrotic scar tissue in posterior capsule which leads to tightness and alteration of GH joint ROM i. e increase in GH external rotation and GH internal rotation deficit (GIRD). Method - Thirty four collegiate cricket bowlers with GIRDgreater than10 were assessed for GH Internal rotation, external rotation and horizontal adduction with Baseline bubble inclinometerTM and randomized into two group. Stretching group received 30 seconds of stretch and MET Group received 7 seconds of isometric contraction followed by 30 seconds of stretch. Analysis was done between groups by repeated measures ANOVA and within group by unpaired student t test. Results Comparison between groups showed statistically significant difference for internal rotation ROM. While within group comparison showed high statistically significant difference post 1st week and 2nd week in both the groups for horizontal adduction and internal rotaion range of motion. Conclusion - Both MET and passive cross body adduction stretch for GHJ horizontal abductors for multiple sessions over 1 week and 2 weeks results in greater post treatment GHJ horizontal adduction and internal rotation ROM in asymptomatic collegiate cricket bowlers