title: Correlation between acute and short-term changes in flexibility using two stretching techniques.
abstract: This study aimed to determine whether increases in flexibility following a single session predict increases in flexibility after a short-term stretching training program involving static stretching (SS) or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques. 70 adults (aged 18-30 years) of both sexes were randomly assigned to 2 groups: PNF (2 series of contract-relax stretching) and SS (static stretching for 1 min). Both stretching protocols were performed for 7 consecutive days. Active knee extension was evaluated before and after the first session and one day after the end of the intervention. Two-way ANOVA showed significant flexibility gains for both groups and no difference between them. The changes in flexibility after the first intervention session were strongly correlated with the changes after the training program in both groups (PNF r=0.82, p=0.001; SS: r=0.82, p=0.001). Linear regression showed that the increases in flexibility predicted the gains after both training programs (PNF: r(2)=0.67, p=0.001; SS: r(2)=0.61, p=0.005). In conclusion, the acute changes in flexibility after a single session of PNF and SS predict the gains in flexibility after longer-term training -programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
authors.forename: N B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Beltrão
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Education, University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Ritti-Dias
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Hebiatria, University of Pernambuco, Petrolina, Brazil.
authors.forename: A C R
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Pitangui
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Education, University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: De Araújo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises / Q000379:methods*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D055815:Young Adult