title: Quantitative analysis of the relative effectiveness of 3 iliotibial band stretches.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the relative effectiveness of 3 common standing stretches for the iliotibial band (ITB): arms at side (stretch A), arms extending overhead (stretch B), and arms reaching diagonally downward (stretch C).
  
  
  METHODS
  Each subject's biomechanics was captured as a 3-dimensional image by using a 4-camera gait acquisition system with a forceplate.
  
  
  METHODS
  University biomotion laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five male elite-level distance runners.
  
  
  METHODS
  All participants performed each of the 3 standing stretches for the ITB.
  
  
  METHODS
  For each stretch, change in ITB tissue length and the force generated within the stretched complex was measured. Data were then combined and analyzed by using kinetic values assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 3 stretches created statistically significant changes in ITB length (P<.05), but stretch B, incorporating overhead arm extension, was consistently most effective both for average ITB length change and average adduction moments at the hip and knee.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adding an overhead arm extension to the most common standing ITB stretch may increase average ITB length change and average external adduction moments in elite-level distance runners.
authors: Department of Functional Restoration, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5336, USA. michael.fredericson@stanford.edu
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Fredericson
authors: Jeremy J
authors: JJ
authors: White
authors: John M
authors: JM
authors: Macmahon
authors: Thomas P
authors: TP
authors: Andriacchi
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005205:Fascia / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007085:Ilium / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D012026:Reflex, Stretch / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology*; D013577:Syndrome; D013977:Tibia / Q000503:physiopathology*