title: The effect of previous loading cycles on the reliability of a clinical measure of hamstring flexibility.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to determine the effect of successive repetitions of a measure of hamstring flexibility-the passive unilateral straight leg raise (SLR)-on the reliability of this measure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten repetitions of the SLR were performed on nine healthy adults. Measures were quantified using an electromagnetic tracking system and standardized using a handheld dynamometer by stopping the SLR at a set end-point force. The 10 repetitions were analyzed as two blocks of five, and intra-class correlation coefficients-models (2,1) and (3,k)-were calculated for each block of data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ICC values for both models were comparable between the two blocks of data.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Previous loading cycles, to a set end-point force, are unlikely to improve the reliability of muscle flexibility assessment in a clinical setting.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University.
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Woznowski-Vu
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Preuss
keywords: elasticity; muscle stretching exercises; range of motion, articular; reproducibility of results