Effects of number of stretch series on hamstring muscle flexibility in young women

Abstract

The aim of this study was to look at the influence of five different sets of passive stretching on hamstring muscle flexibility in young women. The sample consisted of 45 university students of physiotherapy. The range of motion of the hip and the knee was evaluated with a manual goniometer, using two tests: Straight Leg Raise test and Knee Extension modified test, before and after stretching. The stretching was performed once a week, with different numbers of series: one, two, three, four and five 30-second sets, the order established by lot. The data relating to pre and post- test were compared using the t test for paired samples. One-Way ANOVA was used for comparison between the number of runs; in the presence of post-hoc differences Bonferroni was used (α = 0.05). The results demonstrate that the post-test had a significant increase in range of motion compared to the pre all tests. Comparing the series showed a marked increase in range of motion of the hip when there were three, four and five series of stretching in the Straight Leg Raise test and in four and five series in the Knee Extension modified test. The data show that the stretching exercises, regardless of the number of series, increase joint range of motion. However, the application of the four for range of motion gains because the results are better.