The Influence of Two Stretching Techniques on Standing Hip Range of Motion

The purpose of this study was to describe the effects of two stretching techniques on standing hip range of motion (ROM) in female dancers. The participants were 18 university students. They were randomly assigned to one of three groups: active stretch group (Bartenieff Fundamentals(TM) thigh lift), passive stretch group (contract-release-contract form of PNF), or a control group. The participants assigned to the stretching groups completed 12 sessions of their randomly assigned stretch technique over a 3-week period. A repeated measures ANOVA (group x day) was used to analyze statistically the data gathered on the pre- and post-standing hip ROM tests. Both of the stretching groups had statistically significant increases in standing hip flexion angles during the standing hip flexion test. The passive stretch group had greater increases than the active stretch group [F(4, 86) = 7.03, p < 0.01]. The results of this study provide evidence that the effects of supine stretching transfer to standing hip flexion.