Autogenic inhibition versus reciprocal inhibition muscle energy techniques'

Abstract

Objective

To compare the effects of AI-MET and RI-MET on key swimming performance parameters in swimmers diagnosed with scapular dyskinesis.

Methodology

A randomized controlled trial (two-arm parallel study) with two intervention groups (A and B) was conducted at various swimming centres involving a sample size of 34 participants, which was calculated using the Harvard sample size calculator. Participants who can swim at least four times per week with a freestyle swimming stroke and a positive scapular dyskinesis test were included in the study. However, participants who had any recent trauma to the shoulder, shoulder pain, or any recent history of shoulder surgery were excluded from the study. The study employed a non-probability, purposive sampling technique. Video analysis software assessed baseline outcomes. The intervention protocol was conducted for 3 weeks, consisting of a total of 12 sessions, held 4 times per week, each lasting between 8 to 14 minutes.

Results

The average age of the study participants was 19.7 ± 1.3 years. There were significant improvements within groups, with p-values <0.05 in the variables stroke velocity, stroke rate, and cycle time at the 3-week follow-up after 12 treatment sessions. After 3 weeks, no significant differences were observed between the groups for any of the measured variables with a p-value of >0.05.

Conclusion

Both Autogenic inhibition muscle energy techniques and Reciprocal inhibition muscle energy techniques were equally effective in enhancing stroke velocity, rate, and cycle time among swimmers with scapular dyskinesis. However, there is no significant difference in effectiveness between the two techniques.