Assessment and comparison of the effects of two techniques on hamstring flexibility

Abstract

Introduction There are several stretching techniques that help increase flexibility, however, there are still questions regarding which method leads to the most effective gains. Objectives To assess and compare the effects of two stretching techniques, namely proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and static stretching on the flexibility of hamstring muscles of young women. Methods The study sample consisted of 45 young women, mean age 20.45 (± 1.66),assigned to one of three groups: static stretching group (SSG, n = 15), proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation group (PNFG, n = 15) and control group (CG, n = 15). Both SSG and PNFG carried out three weekly stretching sessions over a four-week period. The sit and reach and popliteal angle tests were used at the beginning and end of the intervention. Normally distributed data were analyzed using Student’s t-test, whereas data with non-normal distribution were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test, to compare initial and end measurements for each technique. Finally, we used the Mann-Whitney U test to compare both techniques with each other. A significance level of 5% (p < 0.05) was adopted. Results There was a significant increase in hamstring flexibility when analyzing the assessments and reassessments of both stretching protocols. Conclusions Both techniques were effective in increasing hamstring flexibility and there were no significant differences to indicate which one is better in increasing the flexibility of this muscle group.

Programa de estiramientos con facilitación neuromuscular propioceptiva. Flexibilidad de isquiosurales en futbolistas

“…Flexibilidad de isquiosurales en futbolistas Stretching Programme with Neuromuscular Proprioceptive Facilitation. Hamstring Flexibility in Football Players para indicar cuál fue la mejor de las dos técnicas de estiramiento aplicadas, FNP y estático-pasiva, en el aumento de la flexibilidad (Tavella-Navega et al, 2014). Asimismo, probando el efecto a largo plazo, Gama, Medeiros, Dantas y Souza (2007) analizaron la frecuencia óptima para aumentar la flexibilidad de los músculos isquiosurales, pero en esta ocasión se utilizó el test de la amplitud activa de extensión de la rodilla.…”

“…Se podría llegar a la conclusión, ante los resultados de esta investigación y los de otras autorías citadas, que no se puede aumentar la flexibilidad de isquiosurales a largo plazo, valorada mediante la amplitud de los rangos de movilidad articular. Deben revisarse, teórica y two stretching techniques, NPF or passive-static, was the best to increase flexibility (Tavella-Navega et al, 2014).…”