Dynamic vs. PNF Quadriceps Stretching in Cyclists

Comparison of the Effects of Dynamic and PNF Stretching Applied to the Quadriceps Muscle Group on Muscle Performance, Muscle Strength, and Joint Range of Motion in Professional Cyclists

Following an initial assessment, 30 professional cyclists will be divided into two groups (1:1). PNF stretching will be applied to the Quadriceps muscles of the participants in Group A, while Group B will perform dynamic stretching on the Quadriceps muscles. After the interventions, all participants will undergo a second assessment. The study aims to compare the immediate effects of these two different types of stretching on muscle performance, strength and joint range of motion. Participants will attend a single day for both the assessments and the intervention sessions.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Sports Physical Therapy
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: PNF Stretching; Other: Dynamic Stretching

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 30
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Istinye University Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Application and Research Center (ISUFIZYOTEM)

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being a professional cyclist (training intensively at least 4-5 times per week and having a minimum of 5-10 years of cycling experience).
• Voluntary participation in the study.
• No recent history of sports-related injury.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of neurological, orthopedic, or cardiovascular diseases.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: PNF Stretching	Other: PNF Stretching; Dynamic stretching of the quadriceps will be performed using walking lunges. This exercise dynamically stretches the quadriceps and hip flexors while also improving balance and coordination. During the exercise, participants stand upright, step one leg forward, and lower their body by bending the knee. They then step forward with the other leg to complete the movement. Ten steps will be performed for each leg.
Experimental: Dynamic Stretching	Other: Dynamic Stretching; The "Hold-Relax" technique will be applied. Hold-Relax PNF stretching is based on the principle of isometric contraction of the muscle followed by passive stretching. This technique is effective for increasing muscle flexibility and reducing muscle tension. The medial and lateral parts of the quadriceps will be stretched by Flexion-Adduction-External Rotation and Flexion-Abduction-Internal Rotation patterns3. During the exercise, participants will lie prone with the knee flexed. They will be asked to attempt knee extension while the movement is resisted by the physiotherapist. The contraction will be maintained for 10 seconds, after which the participant will be instructed to relax. Following relaxation, the knee flexion angle will be increased. Ten repetitions will be performed for each leg.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Vertical Jump Test	The vertical jump test is performed by instructing an athlete to jump as high as possible from a standing position. Typically, the athlete will first stand and reach upward to mark the highest point they can touch while standing. Then, they will jump as high as possible, and the jump height will be recorded. The difference between the standing reach and jump height is calculated as the vertical jump distance.	Through study completion, an average of 1 month
Anaerobic Power Step Test	It involves stepping up and down on a platform of a specified height. The participant will step rapidly and rhythmically on the platform for 30 and 60 seconds, aiming to complete as many steps as possible. The total number of steps will be recorded at the end of the test. Proper form and rhythmic stepping will be emphasized during the test; the athlete must place the entire foot on the platform and achieve full extension with each step. The data obtained from this test will be used to assess the athlete's anaerobic capacity and lower-body explosive power	Through study completion, an average of 1 month

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Lower Extremity Muscle Strength	Lower extremity muscle strength will be measured using the Lafayette Hand-Held Dynamometer (HHD). During its application, the Lafayette HHD measures the force generated during the muscle's maximal isometric contraction. Knee flexion, knee extension, hip flexion and hip extension muscle strength will be measured. The measurement will be repeated three times.	Through study completion, an average of 1 month
Lower Extremity Joint Range of Motion	Lower extremity joint range of motion will be assessed using a goniometer. The joint range of motion measurements will include hip flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal and external rotation, as well as knee flexion and extension.	Through study completion, an average of 1 month

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Istinye University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Çiçek Günday, Asst. Prof., Istinye University; Study Chair: Arda Akça, Physiotherapist, Istinye University; Study Chair: Elif Berfin Bulut, Physiotherapist, Istinye University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 27, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): October 27, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 2, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 2, 2025
• First Posted (Estimated): September 10, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): December 3, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 26, 2025
• Last Verified: November 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Cycling; Sports; Anaerobic Performance; Power; Jumping
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Patient Care; Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Exercise; Muscle Stretching Exercises
• Other Study ID Numbers: 02092025

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

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

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No