A Comparative Study of Muscle Energy Technique and Dynamic
Stretching on Calf Muscle Group for Speed and Physical Endurance
on Healthy Sprint Runners in School Level
Ragul J1; Navjyoti Gupta2; Balaji Gandhi3
1LECTURER, Nargund college of physiotherapy
2Ass.proffessor, Janardhan rai nagar rajastan Vidyapeeth Dep. of. physiotherapy
3Principal; Nargund college of physiotherapy
Received: 06 December 2025; Accepted: 13 December 2025; Published: 20 December 2025
ABSTRACT
Backgroud: Athletes of all ages and skill levels use running as a popular form of exercise all over the world.
The calf muscle complex is primarily responsible for propulsion during running gait. The gastrocnemius appears
to be vulnerable to injury because of the strong stresses generated in this muscle during the push-off phase of
running. According to reports, up to 30% of running-related injuries occur in the calf muscle region each year.
Furthermore, lower leg soreness, gastrocnemius pain or strain, calf pain, calf spasm, and Achilles tendon injuries
have all been reported as symptoms of calf injuries.
Aims of The Study: Aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of MET and Dynamic Stretching on calf muscle
group for speed and physical endurance on healthy sprint runners in school level
Methods: Thirty-two subjects were divided into two groups. Group-A received Muscle energy technique (n=16)
and Group-B trained with Dynamic stretching (n=16). Both groups received training of 5 sessions per week for
6 weeks. Outcomes were assessed by Bruce treadmill test and 40-yard sprint test before and after treatment.
Results: The study shows statistically significant improvement (p<0.05) in both groups for all the outcomes.
After 6 weeks of training period, the group trained with muscle energy technique scored significantly higher in
improving the endurance and speed than the group trained with dynamic stretching when the pre & post test
values of Bruce treadmill Test and 40 yard sprint test were statistically analyzed using an independent ‘t’ test.
Conclusions: Muscle energy technique was found to be much effective in improving the endurance and speed
of sprint runners with improving flexibility of calf muscles than dynamic stretching technique.
Key Words: Muscle Energy Technique, Dynamic Stretching, Endurance, Speed, Flexibility, Calf muscles;
Bruce Treadmill Test, 40 Yard Sprint Test.
INTRODUCTION
Running is a sustainable long term method of cardiovascular training.1 The health benefits of running include a
reduction in obesity, cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes.2, 3 Running is generally described as either
sprinting or endurance (distance) running.5 Sprint running races are short-distance races in which athletes try to
run at their maximum speed throughout the entire distance of the race.6 As the speed of the athlete increases
while running, the body needs to repeatedly produce force in the lower limbs at a rapid rate.6
Runners with the best economy while running have a higher energy storage capacity in the triceps surae
musculotendinous unit than those with poor economy.7 Tendon stretch and recoil reduce the amount of active
muscle contraction required and stretch shortening cycles can occur at much higher velocities than those
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