Comparison of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation and Myofascial Decompression (Cupping Therapy) on Sprint Speed and Flexibility in Fast Bowlers with Tight Hamstrings

Objectives Flexibility is key to normal movement. Tight hamstrings increase injury risk and lower athletic performance. Limited flexibility causes muscle tension, restricting joint movement. This study evaluated the effects of cupping therapy and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilisation on sprint speed and hamstring flexibility in fast bowlers with tight hamstrings. Material and Methods We assessed 90 participants for age, height, weight, and body mass index. Group 1 had a homogeneity value of 0.1329, while Group 2 had 0.4544. Participants underwent pre- and post-tests using both interventions. We evaluated results on the Active Knee Extension Test, hamstring tightness, and the 20-meter sprint test. We analysed data using means, standard deviations, paired t-tests, and Pearson correlation coefficients. Results For healthy athletes, both interventions improved muscle performance. There was no significant difference between the two methods (p > 0.05). However, athletes showed a significant improvement (p < 0.05) in the 20-meter sprint post-test compared to their pre-test times. Conclusion The study shows that both instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilisation (IASTM) and cupping therapy improved hamstring flexibility. However, we should interpret the results with caution, given that the within-group change in Group B was not statistically significant. Future research should examine the physiological reasons behind these findings and further validate the effectiveness of cupping therapy in enhancing sprint performance.