A comparison of different durations of static stretch of the hamstring muscle group in an elderly population.
To date, no reports have examined the variable of time in optimizing stretching protocols for the elderly. The purpose of this study was to determine which of three durations of stretches would produce and maintain the greatest flexibility gains in the hamstring muscle group in an elderly population...
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| Format: | Thesis Electronic eBook |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1999
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Static URL is not available. In OregonPDF, search for the Author using the All tab. Static URL is not available. In OregonPDF, search for the Author using the All tab |
| Summary: | To date, no reports have examined the variable of time in optimizing stretching protocols for the elderly. The purpose of this study was to determine which of three durations of stretches would produce and maintain the greatest flexibility gains in the hamstring muscle group in an elderly population. Sixty-two subjects, with a mean age of 84.7 years and exhibiting tight hamstrings, were randomly assigned to one of four groups and completed a physical activity questionnaire. Group 1, control group, performed no stretching. Groups 2 through 4 were passively stretched, using a straight-leg-raise technique, five times per week for six weeks for 15, 30, and 60 seconds, respectively. All stretches were repeated four times with a 10-second rest between stretches. All subjects were measured once a week for six weeks for knee extension restriction, with the femur held at 90 degrees of hip flexion in order to determine hamstring flexibility. All subjects were then measured for knee extension restriction once a week for four more weeks to determine the lasting effect of the stretching treatment. Data were analyzed using a growth curve model in SAS (vers. 6.12) MIXED Procedure to appropriately account for within-subject repeated measures. Data analysis revealed that activity levels were significantly related to flexibility, and that a 60-second stretch was significantly better than a 15- or 30-second stretch. However, both 15- and 30-second stretches were significantly better than no stretching. Post hoc analysis revealed that the 15- and 30-second treatment groups had returned to pre-test measurement values after four weeks of not stretching, but that the 60-second treatment group was still significantly more flexible than at pre-test. The results of this study suggest that a static stretch held for 60 seconds will improve flexibility significantly better than 15 or 30 seconds in an elderly population. Due to age-related physiological changes that take place in muscle and connective tissue, longer duration stretches may be more beneficial in the elderly. |
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| Item Description: | [Advisor:] Myrer, JW. |
| Physical Description: | 103 pp |
