Effects of Stretching on Strength of Proximal and Distal Group of Muscles - A Comparative Study
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- King Saud University
- Enrollment
- 28
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in isometric maximum voluntary contraction force before and after stretching
Study Overview
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 Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Other
- Masking
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 22 Years to 30 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
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.
Arms & Interventions
Group A (Hamstrings)
Hamstring stretching would be done then isometric strength would be measured.
Intervention: Muscle static stretching (Other)
Group B (Calf)
Calf stretching would be done then isometric strength would be measured.
Intervention: Muscle static stretching (Other)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in isometric maximum voluntary contraction force before and after stretching
Time Frame: 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
Secondary Outcomes
No secondary outcomes reported
Investigators
Masood Khan
Researcher
King Saud University