Evaluation of passive stretching in the hamstrings flexibility of who practice exercises

Abstract

Objective: Does passive stretching before and after strength training effect the flexibility of the hamstrings in people who work out? Design: 40 healthy student volunteers, ranging in age from 18 to 35 years old, who work out were randomly divided into four groups, with group A stretching before and after working out, group B stretching just before working out, group C stretching only after working out, and group D abstaining from stretching. The hamstrings of each leg were stretched for 30 seconds. Results: A total of 40 students, of whom 24 (60.0%) were women with a mean age of 23.3 ± 4.18 years, were included in the study. Of that group, 34 (85.0%) had done physical activity at another time. Their workout regimens were aimed at weight loss (n =12/30, 0%), muscle gain (n = 25/62, 5%) and health maintenance (n = 3/7, 5%). The groups that engaged in stretching (A, B and C) experienced a significant increase in hamstring flexibility in the final evaluation (p <0.05), as compared to the group D. This study did not find any variation in flexibility between the groups (p> 0.05). Conclusion: Passive stretching resulted in increased hamstring flexibility, most notably in group A, which stretched the hamstrings before and after workout.