THE EFFECTS OF ACTIVE ISOLATED VS STATIC STRETCHING ON FLEXIBILITY

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of Active Isolated Stretching (Al) versus Static Stretching (SS) on hamstring and low back flexibility, 30 subjects (24 female, 6 male, age 22.6 ± 1.3 yr, body mass 65.5 ± 3.1 kg and height 166 ± 18 cm) were randomly assigned to one of three groups (AI, SS, Control). Supervised intervention was conducted three times per week with an equal duration of stretch (60 sec) for the AI and SS groups. The control group (C) was evaluated at three intervals without intervention. Sit and Reach (SR) and hip flexion by goniometer (G) were obtained at weeks 0, 7, and 13. The following results were obtained:Table: No Caption Available.Statistical analysis by ANOVA revealed significant difference (p < .05) only with the G measurements of the AI trial. Although the technique of measurement and procedures were identical for each assessment, all groups revealed variability in their baseline. Flexibility variation in a group of young subjects with baseline flexibility in the 60th percentile may not be unusual. Significant change in a precise measure of flexibility (G) without changes in a general measure of flexibility (SR) may in part be attributed to the accuracy of the instrument. A low dose (3 sessions per week at 60 sec/session) of flexibility intervention may be insufficient to elicit measurable changes in range of motion.