Comparison of active stretching technique and static stretching technique on hamstring flexibility.
OBJECTIVE
To compare a passive and an active stretching technique to determine which one would produce and maintain the greatest gain in hamstring flexibility. To determine whether a passive or an active stretching technique results in a greater increase in hamstring flexibility and to compare whether the gains are maintained.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Institutional.


METHODS
Sixty-five volunteer healthy subjects completed the enrollment questionnaire, 33 completed the required 75% of the treatment after 6 weeks, and 22 were assessed 4 weeks after the training interruption.


METHODS
A 6-week stretching program with subjects divided into 2 groups with group 1 performing active stretching exercises and group 2 performing passive stretching exercises.


METHODS
Range of motion (ROM) was measured after 3 and 6 weeks of training and again 4 weeks after the cessation of training and compared with the initial measurement.


RESULTS
After 3 weeks of training, the mean gain in group 1 (active stretching) on performing the active knee extension range of motion (AKER) test was 5.7 degrees, whereas the mean gain in group 2 (passive stretching) was 3 degrees (P = .015). After 6 weeks of training, the mean gain in group 1 was 8.7 degrees , whereas the mean gain in group 2 was 5.3 degrees (P = .006). Twenty-two subjects were reassessed 4 weeks after the cessation of the training with the maintained gain of ROM in group 1 being 6.3 degrees , whereas the maintained gain in group 2 was 0.1 degrees (P = .003).


CONCLUSIONS
Active stretching produced the greater gain in the AKER test, and the gain was almost completely maintained 4 weeks after the end of the training, which was not seen with the passive stretching group. Active stretching was more time efficient compared with the static stretching and needed a lower compliance to produce effects on flexibility.
Meroni
Roberto
R
Department of Neurosciences and Biomedical Technologies, University of Milan Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20052 Monza, Milano, Italy. roberto.meroni@unimib.it
Cerri
Cesare Giuseppe
CG
Lanzarini
Carlo
C
Barindelli
Guido
G
Morte
Giancesare Della
GD
Gessaga
Viviana
V
Cesana
Gian Carlo
GC
De Vito
Giovanni
G
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult