Comparison Between Effects of Active Release Technique and Post Isometric Relaxation on Adductor Strain in Mixed Martial Arts Fighters

Take an icepack and wrap it in a moisture-absorbing towel. The temperature of the icepack should be between 1˚ to 10˚. Any temperature below 0˚ can damage the skin. The icepack will be on strained adductors for 5-7 minutes. Patients will be advised to do cryotherapy at home for 24-42 hours after every 2 hours.

Both groups will perform the following strengthening of adductors which includes adductor isometrics, Side-lying adductor strengthening, and Adductor resistance with a stepper and will be done 10 repetitions, 3 times a week. After the performance of the Adductor strengthening protocol, Group A will be given the Active release technique while Group B will be given post-isometric relaxation by the therapist.

Step 1: Place the body in a position (Dorsiflex ankle, flex the knee, extend the hip, flex the spine) so that the nerve is moved proximally. In this position, the nerve is relaxed on the distal side of the entrapment site and the nerve is tractioned on the proximal side. Step 2: Place contact between the distal Gracilis and the Sartorius and push the muscle proximally. The contact should not compress the nerve. Step 3: Move each joint so that the nerve moves distally past the muscle. The new position (Plantarflex and evert the ankle, extend the knee, flex the hip, extend the spine) will be achieved. Step 4: Move the contact to the proximal side of the muscles and push the muscle distally. Step 5: Move the nerve proximally again by pushing the muscle distally. This brings the position of the patient back to Step 1. Contact will be held for a short time 5-20 seconds with repetitions 3-5 times to the injury site and 2 sessions per week.

Step 1: Position the patient's limb at a point with the highest resistance felt during abduction. Step 2: The patient is asked to bring the leg back into adduction using only 20% of strength against firm resistance given by the therapist. Step 3: The patient will contract the agonist (the muscle that needs to be released) while holding an inhaled breath. Contraction should be held between 7-10 seconds without any jerking, bouncing, or wobbling. Step 4: The patient is asked to release their effort slowly and completely. As the patient relaxes, the limb is guided into a new resistance barrier where a bind is felt again. Step 5: After PIR, a 10-20-second latency period exists and the muscle can be stretched more easily. Contract adductor muscle for 7-10 seconds and relax the same for 7-10 seconds with repetitions 7 times and 2 sessions per week.