Effect of Flexibility Training Versus Static Stretching on Hamstring Muscle Length and Patterns of Lumbar Flexion

Effect of Dynamic Flexibility Training Versus Prolonged Static Stretching on Length of the Hamstrings Muscles and Patterns of Lumbar Flexion in Healthy Adults -a Randomized Controlled Trial

Mobility training in the form of stretching and flexibility training of our skeletal muscle is a common exercise. However, the evidence are scare and there are only a few studies comparing the effect of prolonged static stretching (> 90 sec) and dynamic flexibility training as to which of these methods has the best length-enhancing effect over time. Further, in clinical practice concerning low back pain, the possibility of a thigh hamstrings muscles to affect movement control of the spine is often mentioned, a link not fully explored in a controlled condition. The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of eight weeks of dynamic flexibility training versus prolonged static stretching on mobility in the hamstring muscles in adults with reduced mobility in the muscles at the back of the thigh. The aim is also to compare the sustained effect of flexibility training between the two groups, eight weeks after completion of the intervention. Furthermore, the aim is to explore how different forms of flexibility training affects movement patterns of the lumbar spine in adult persons with reduced mobility in the hamstrings.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Static Stretching; Muscle; Dynamic Stretching; Low Back
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Mobility of the hamstrings muscles

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 52
• Phase: Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 50 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Restricted hip flexion < 80 degress due to thight hamstrings muscles

Exclusion Criteria:

• discomfort or illness from musculoskeletal system which significantly affects the person in his/her everyday life
• previous injury (within 12 weeks) in the hamstring muscle prior to study entry
• known RA diagnosis
• known neurological disease
• medication affecting the musculskeletal system

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Dynamic streching; Mobility training of the hamstrings muscles to be performed every day	Behavioral: Mobility of the hamstrings muscles
Active Comparator: Static stretching; Static stretching of the hamstrings muscles to be performed every day	Behavioral: Mobility of the hamstrings muscles

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change of Range of motion of hip flexion	Hip flexion is performed in a standardised procedure and is measured in degrees.	Change from Baseline to after intervention (8 weeks), Change from Baseline to follow-up at 16 weeks
Change of Fingertip to floor distance	Distance from fingertip to floor test is performed in a standardised manner and is measured in centimeters	Change from Baseline to after intervention (8 weeks), Change from Baseline to follow-up at 16 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Waiters bow	Waiters bow is a test of movement controll of the lumbar spine and is measured a if movement is performed correctly or not.	Change from Baseline to after intervention (8 weeks), Change from Baseline to follow-up at 16 weeks
Change in Sitting bilateral knee extension	Sitting bilateral knee extension is a test of movement controll of the lumbar spine and is measured a if movement is performed correctly or not.	Change from Baseline to after intervention (8 weeks), Change from Baseline to follow-up at 16 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Luleå Tekniska Universitet

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 1, 2016
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 1, 2016
• Study Completion (Actual): September 1, 2016

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 26, 2016
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 2, 2016
• First Posted (Estimate): March 8, 2016

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): September 19, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 15, 2022
• Last Verified: September 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: LTU_STRETCH_RCT

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No