The Effects of Hold-relax Techniques after Inducing Delayed Muscle Pain on the Pain and Range of Motion of Joints

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of both general hold-relax techniques and hold-relax techniques using pumping on pain due to delayed muscle pain and on the range of motion (ROM) of joints.Methods: Thirty-nine young adult males and females were randomly assigned either to a hold-relax technique application group of 20 subjects or to a group of 19 subjects with hold-relax techniques applied using a pumping application. Tenderness thresholds, the ROM of joints, and pain intensities were measured on the biceps of the nondominant arm of the subjects in both groups before exercises were performed to induce delayed muscle pain. Tenderness thresholds were again measured 24hours, 48hours, and 72 hours after inducing delayed muscle pain. The relevant intervention methods were applied to the two groups after conducting the measurement at 48hours. As a statistical analysis method, repeated measure ANOVAs were conducted to examine the tenderness thresholds, ROMs of elbow joints, and pain intensities in the individual groups at the time points.Results: At 48 hours and 72 hours after application of the interventions, the general hold-relax technique application group showed greater changes in the tenderness thresholds, the ROMs of elbow joints, and the pain intensities than did the group applying hold-relax techniques using a pumping application (p>0.05). Conclusion:Based on the results of the present study, the application of hold-relax techniques is thought to have beneficial effects on pain resulting from delayed muscle pain and on limited ROMs of joints.

Comparison of the immediate effect of hamstring stretching techniques on hamstring muscle range of motion, pressure pain threshold and muscle tone

“…Davis et al [1] reported that significant effects were only found with static stretching for four-weeks, and Bany et al [15] established the standard for the frequency and duration of static stretching, and when static stretching was applied to the hamstring muscles, there were differences in time and frequency, but they were effective in increasing ROM. The hold-relax method has the advantage of being able to be performed within the range where pain does not occur, supported by studies by [2], Oh [25] and Kim et al [26]. In addition, the PNF-hold relax method uses a dissipation effect, which showed a significant increase in ROM.…”