Effect of Cessation and Resumption of Static Hamstring Muscle Stretching on Joint Range of Motion

TLDR

Stretching exercises generally increase knee range of motion, but it is unclear whether ROM is maintained after stopping or regained after resuming stretching. The study aimed to assess how stopping and restarting a static hamstring stretching program affects knee range of motion in inactive college students. Using a single‑group repeated‑measures design, 18 inactive college students performed 2 × 30‑second static hamstring stretches daily for 6 weeks, then 4 weeks without stretching, and 6 weeks of resumed stretching, with knee ROM assessed by an active knee extension test before and after each phase. Knee ROM increased after the first 6‑week stretch, returned to baseline after 4 weeks of cessation, and rose again after resumption but did not exceed the initial gain; the control limb showed no change, indicating no retention of ROM after stopping stretching.

Abstract

Single group repeated measures.To determine the effects of cessation and resumption of a hamstring muscle stretching protocol on knee range of motion (ROM).It is generally accepted that stretching exercises result in an increase in ROM. The ability to maintain ROM once stretching has ceased and the ability to regain ROM after resumption of the stretching exercise is not well-known.Evaluated the effect of 6 weeks of static hamstring stretching, 4 weeks with cessation from stretching, and 6 weeks with resumption of stretching on knee ROM in 18 inactive college students (12 men, 6 women, mean age 21.0 years). The hamstring stretching consisted of 2 30-second stretches per day, 5 days per week. Knee ROM was measured before and after each of the above phases with an active knee extension test.Mean knee ROM increased after the initial stretching period (143+/-11 to 152+/-9 degrees), decreased to baseline following the cessation period (145+/-8 degrees) and again increased following the resumption of stretching but was not different from the initial gains (154+/-10 degrees). Unlike the stretch limb, the control limb ROM did not change over the 4 measurement times.There was no retention of knee ROM 4 weeks following a 6-week stretching protocol and a subsequent stretching period did not enhance the gain of knee ROM over the initial stretching period.