Comparison of effectiveness and durability of two stretching methods (Hold-Relax, Static Stretching) for treatment of hamstring muscle tightness

It is quite obvious that stretching techniques enhance the joint range of motion. However the permanency of these techniques after the treatment period remains questionable. So this randomized clinical trial was done to determine and compare the permanency of Hold–Relax and static Stretching techniques on extensibility of short hamstring during 4 weeks. Methods and materials: Twenty non-athlete girls with 18-26 years old with bilateral hamstring muscles shortness (SLR) were selected from Shahid Beheshti rehabilitation faculty in the year 1382. They were randomly assigned to two groups of 10 subjects. The first group received Hold–Relax stretching while the second one received static stretch treatment for 4 weeks. Treatment sessions were 3 times a week. Active and passive SLR, active and passive knee extension, pelvic tilt and lumbar lordosis were measured before and after the 4 weeks of treatment, and then for determination of permanency, the measurements were repeated every week for 4 weeks. Both groups showed a significant increase in all variables after 4 weeks of treatment. The gained results significantly maintained up to the end of fourth week. In comparison of treatment results and permanency, no significant differences were observed between the two groups. (P >0.05) These findings revealed that there is no clear difference in terms of effects and permanency between the two techniques, so the results of our study enable clinicians to provide the more simple technique in their stretching activities that is “static stretch”.