Effects of Stretching on Strength of Proximal and Distal Group of Muscles - A Comparative Study

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: STRETCHING
• Interventions: Other: Muscle static stretching

• Registration Number: NCT04453644
• Lead Sponsor: King Saud University

Brief Summary

Muscular flexibility is believed to prevent injuries and improve movement therefore most coaches include stretching exercises in their pre-competition and pre-exercise warm-up routines. One question arises here, should sports persons avoid stretching exercises prior to sporting events thereby exposing themselves to musculoskeletal injuries, or should they continue stretching exercises prior to sporting events and risk losing the maximal performance? The aim of this study is to compare the effects of 2, 4, and 8 min of static stretching (SS) on isometric maximum voluntary contraction (MVCF) force between proximal (Hamstrings) and distal group (Calf) of muscles.

Detailed Description

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of 2, 4, and 8 min of static stretching (SS) on isometric maximum voluntary contraction (MVCF) force between proximal (Hamstrings) and distal group (Calf) of muscles.

DESIGN: Two-group pretest-posttest experimental design. METHODS: Each subject visited the Rehabilitation center on three days: On day-I for static stretching for 2 minutes (SS2), day-II for 4 minutes (SS4), and day-III for 8 minutes (SS8). Isometric Maximum Voluntary Contraction Force (MVCF) measurement was done prior (Pre), 0-min, 10-min, and 20-min post-intervention (i.e. stretching). Each visit was separated by a gap of at least 3-4 days. On each visit, each subject underwent (a). Pre-intervention evaluation, (b). Intervention, (c). Post-intervention evaluation. Subjects performed stretching exercises under the supervision of expert Physical Therapist. The outcome assessor who was kept blind to study protocol did all measurements.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2019-01-23
• Primary Completion: 2019-07-17
• Study Completion: 2019-09-05
• Status Verified: 2020-06
• Study First Submitted: 2020-06-24
• Study First Submitted QC: 2020-06-28
• Last Update Submitted: 2020-06-28
• Study First Posted: 2020-07-01
• Last Update Posted: 2020-07-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 28

Inclusion Criteria

For group A: subjects performed active knee extension test and those lacking at least 20 degrees of active knee extension range, with hip in 90 degree of flexion were selected. For group B (Calf): Subjects performed active foot dorsiflexion in long sitting position with back supported against the wall and those having not more than 20-degree range of motion were selected.

Selected subjects used to engage in 1-5 hours of regular physical activity per week (recreationally active) that does not involve stretching exercise

Exclusion Criteria

Subjects reporting any current or ongoing neuromuscular disease, injury specific to lower limb joints, any apparent limit in knee or ankle ROM and competitive/professional athletes were excluded from study.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Group B (Calf)	Muscle static stretching	Calf stretching would be done then isometric strength would be measured.
Group A (Hamstrings)	Muscle static stretching	Hamstring stretching would be done then isometric strength would be measured.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in isometric maximum voluntary contraction force before and after stretching	MVCF was measured immediately (0 min), 10-min and 20 min post intervention on 3 different days, with each day separated by gap of 3-4 days.	Change in isometric muscle strength measured before and after stretching using strain gauge on 3 different days

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

King Saud University; 🇸🇦 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia