Immediate effect of passive and active stretching on hamstrings flexibility: a single-blinded randomized control...

Area of Science:

• Kinesiology
• Sports Medicine
• Physical Therapy

Background:

• Hamstring flexibility is crucial for athletic performance and injury prevention.
• Various stretching techniques exist, but their comparative efficacy for immediate hamstring flexibility gains is debated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the immediate effects of passive stretching versus active stretching on hamstring flexibility.
• To determine which stretching method offers superior improvements in hamstring flexibility.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-four healthy young subjects were randomized into passive stretching, active stretching, or control groups.
• Stretching involved 3 sets of 10-second holds, performed either passively by an examiner or actively by the subject.
• Hamstring flexibility was assessed using the active knee-extension test before and after the intervention.

Main Results:

• Both active and passive stretching significantly improved hamstring flexibility compared to the control group.
• Passive stretching resulted in a significantly greater immediate improvement in hamstring flexibility than active stretching.

Conclusions:

• Both passive and active stretching techniques can enhance hamstring flexibility.
• Passive stretching demonstrates superior efficacy for achieving immediate increases in hamstring flexibility compared to active stretching.