DESIGN: Pretest-posttest. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of 4 durations of static hamstring stretching on knee-extension passive range of motion (KE-PROM). CONTEXT: Effects of longer (90 and 120 seconds) static hamstring stretching on PROM have not been established relative to more typically recommended 30- or 60-second durations. SUBJECTS: 35 healthy college-age subjects with > 20 degrees loss of KE-PROM. OUTCOME MEASURE: KE-PROM. INTERVENTION: 5-week program of single daily stretch for 30, 60, 90, or 120 seconds. RESULTS: Static stretching was effective in increasing KE-PROM regardless of stretch duration (p < 0.0001). A significant improvement was identified in mean PROM for each stretching group, but no difference existed among the 4 stretch-duration groups. The control group's mean PROM decreased (mean -3.2 degrees, SD 1.9), whereas each stretching group increased PROM (means 1.9 degrees to 3.6 degrees). CONCLUSIONS: Five weeks of daily static hamstring stretching for 30, 60, 90, or 120 seconds increase KE-PROM. Similar benefits were achieved regardless of stretch duration, suggesting that clinicians need not perform static hamstring stretches of more than 30 seconds.
Copyright Human Kinetics. Reprinted with permission from Human Kinetics (Champaign, IL).

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