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Muscular stiffness, flexibility and other variations induced in an elite runner by a stretching program performed according to Mezieres Method. Case report.
Authors: Giancarlo Fratocchi, Claudia Celletti, Filippo Camerota
Number of views: 612
STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVE: To describe a pilot study about physicall variation induced by Mezieres Method.
BACKGROUND: Muscular stretching is largely used in rehabilitation and in the preparation of sporting activities. Mezieres
Metod is “global” stretching of more body’s area simultaneously, througth muscolar chains. It’s very common therapy in
Italy and France, but not in the rest of Europe, it’s usually called Postural Therapy. CASE DESCRIPTION: The patient was
an elitè athlete 30-year-old, male; he had more than one hamstring muscle sprain and several muscle contractions in his
legs; he also had recurring low back pain: all these problems, making him an athlete with pain and irregular training.
After more than one attempt, he tried Mezieres Method to solve his muscular problems. He was tested by Bending test,
Toe-touch test, spirometry, stabilometry podometry and stiffness evaluation througth Movement Analysis Laboratory
(MAL). A six months program of Mezieres therapy was made, without training and food changing. OUTCOMES: Following
the intervention, the patient reported a lot of significant variations in all test performed,expecially in leg stiffness
measured with MAL. Furthermore he gained improvement in athletic performance. DISCUSSION: The concept of
muscular chain asks for a different stretching interpretation: poly-articulate and multi-segmental without contemporary
shortening -transfert. (Giancarlo Fratocchi, Claudia Celletti, Filippo Camerota. Muscular stiffness, flexibility and other variations
induced in an elite runner by a stretching program performed according to Mezieres Method. Case report - Ita J Sports Reh Po 2015 2;
1 ; 122 - 131 ; ISSN 2385-1988 [online ] IBSN 007-111-19-55)