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

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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
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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.

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

Conditions
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STRETCHING

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Muscle static stretching


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 22 Years
Maximum Age: 30 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Group A (Hamstrings)<br>Hamstring stretching would be done then isometric strength would be measured. | Other: Muscle static stretching<br>* On day-I: Static Stretching done for 2 minutes (SS2), on day-II: Static Stretching done for 4 minutes (SS4), and on day-III: Static Stretching done for 8 minutes (SS8).<br>|
| Experimental: Group B (Calf)<br>Calf stretching would be done then isometric strength would be measured. | Other: Muscle static stretching<br>* On day-I: Static Stretching done for 2 minutes (SS2), on day-II: Static Stretching done for 4 minutes (SS4), and on day-III: Static Stretching done for 8 minutes (SS8).<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in isometric maximum voluntary contraction force before and after stretching | Change in isometric muscle strength measured before and after stretching using strain gauge on 3 different days | 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. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Muscle strength, muscle stretching exercises, strain gauge