<b>Comparative Effects of ELDOA and Pilates on Flexibility, Agility and Performance Among Football Players with Hamstring Tightness</b>

Background: Hamstring tightness is a prevalent musculoskeletal concern among football players, often leading to impaired flexibility, reduced agility, and decreased athletic performance. While several therapeutic interventions exist, there is limited evidence comparing the efficacy of Pilates and ELDOA—two distinct exercise modalities that target musculoskeletal function through core stabilization and myofascial decompression, respectively. Addressing this knowledge gap is crucial for guiding clinical rehabilitation strategies in sports medicine. Objective: To compare the effects of ELDOA and Pilates on flexibility, agility, and performance among football players with hamstring tightness. Methods: A single-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 34 football players aged 18–30 years with confirmed hamstring tightness and limited knee extension (<135°). Participants were randomly assigned to either the ELDOA group (n=17) or the Pilates group (n=17), receiving bi-weekly sessions for six weeks alongside conventional therapy. Outcome measures included the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Agility T-Test, Sit and Reach Test, Knee ROM (goniometry), and the Hooper Questionnaire, assessed pre- and post-intervention. Data were analyzed using parametric tests with significance set at p<0.05. Results: Both groups demonstrated significant within-group improvements across all outcomes (p<0.001); however, Pilates was significantly more effective than ELDOA in improving pain, agility, stress levels, and knee ROM (p<0.05), with medium-to-large effect sizes observed. Conclusion: While both ELDOA and Pilates improve flexibility and performance in football players with hamstring tightness, Pilates yield superior clinical outcomes and should be preferentially integrated into sports rehabilitation protocols.