Effect of duration of passive stretch on hip abduction range of motion

The purpose of this study was to determine which of three durations of a passive stretch was most effective in increasing hip abduction range of motion (ROM) in human subjects. Seventy-two men were randomly assigned into a control group and three passive stretch groups (15 seconds, 45 seconds, and 2 minutes). The two measurements used to determine hip abduction flexibility were abduction ROM and resistance to abduction force. Each subject was measured before and immediately following the passive stretch to determine changes in abduction ROM and resistance to abduction force due to a passive stretch. The results of this study indicated that hip abduction ROM was significantly increased and resistance to hip abduction force was significantly decreased after a passive stretch for all three stretch groups. There was no significant difference between mean differences of abduction ROM of the three stretch groups, except for the comparison of the 15 second and the 45 second stretch groups. The results of the force data demonstrated no significant difference between the mean differences of the three stretch groups. The fact that our data shows 15 seconds is just as effective as stretching for 2 minutes makes it reasonable to stretch for 15 seconds in athletic settings where immediate increases in abduction ROM are desired. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1987;8(8):409-416.