Muscle Energy techniques (or MET's) are another form of
active-assisted stretches, similar to PNF, and developed around the same
time, in the world of Osteopathy. Like PNF, MET's use an isometric
contraction of the agonist prior to stretching. The difference is in the
force of the isometric contraction, which in MET's are a lot lower.
An MET stretch is performed in the following way, using the hamstrings
as an example:
The therapist moves the hip into flexion, with the athlete on their back, until they encounter the point of resistance - where the movement stiffens, due to tightness in the hamstrings. They hold this position for 15-20 seconds. They then ease off slightly from the stretch and ask the athlete to try to push the leg back down to the couch, which causes an isometric contraction of the hamstrings. In MET's, this contraction should be a maximum of 20% of the athletes total strength. This contraction is held for around 10 seconds, before the therapist asks them to relax and pushes the limb further, increasing the stretch, until resistance is felt once more. The process is usually repeated 3-5 times for each muscle.
The therapist moves the hip into flexion, with the athlete on their back, until they encounter the point of resistance - where the movement stiffens, due to tightness in the hamstrings. They hold this position for 15-20 seconds. They then ease off slightly from the stretch and ask the athlete to try to push the leg back down to the couch, which causes an isometric contraction of the hamstrings. In MET's, this contraction should be a maximum of 20% of the athletes total strength. This contraction is held for around 10 seconds, before the therapist asks them to relax and pushes the limb further, increasing the stretch, until resistance is felt once more. The process is usually repeated 3-5 times for each muscle.
