Comparative Effects of Dynamic Cupping and PNF Stretching on Hamstring Tightness among Football Players

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of dynamic cupping and the contractrelax method of the PNF stretching technique on hamstring tightness among football players.Methods: This randomized clinical trial was carried out to determine hamstring tightness in football players.Forty players voluntarily consented to participate in the study, in which the adult subjects with an age group between 20-30 who had a hamstring tightness and a minimum 20-degree restriction in SLR unilaterally were recruited in group A and group B (20 in each group).Those with cognitive impairments, uncontrolled medical conditions, and a history of lower extremity injury in the last two months and a previous history of surgery were excluded.Group A was given PNF, and Group B was given the Dynamic cupping technique.Assessments were performed at baseline (T1), midrehabilitation (T2), and post-rehabilitation (T3).The sit-and-reach test was used to evaluate the hamstring tightness.Results: Within the group analysis, both PNF stretching and Dynamic cupping improved flexibility significantly over time (Friedman test, P=0.00).Between-group analysis showed significant differences at pre-test (P= 0.04) and post-test (P= 0.05), favoring PNF.Although both interventions were effective, PNF demonstrated superior improvements in flexibility compared to Dynamic Cupping.Conclusion: PNF stretching provided benefits over the dynamic cupping technique in terms of reducing hamstring tightness among football players.It reduces the tightness and improves the flexibility of football players, so which can cause them to run on the ground and kicking ability also improved.