Comparison of effect of Eccentric Training Versus Static Stretching on Hamstring Flexibility Sethi A1, Taneja A.2, Singh V.P.3, Bansal Kapil4 1Physiotherapist, Swami Dayanand Hospital, Delhi 2Clinic Director and Physiotherapist, Synergy Rehab Inc, Michigan 3Head of Physiotherapy DepartmentMata Gujari Hospital, New Delhi 4Junior Resident, Sushruta Trauma Center, New Delhi Online published on 15 January, 2013. Abstract Purpose To Compare the effect of eccentric training versus static stretching on hamstring flexibility in healthy male subjects Design We used a pre-test, post- test experimental group design where subjects were randomly assigned into 3 groups-static stretching, eccentric training and control group. Subjects 45 subjects (males) ranging in age from 18 to 25 years with limited hamstring muscle flexibility (i.e. at least 20º of knee extension deficit with hip at 90º of hip flexion). Methods and Measures Hamstring flexibility was measured using knee extension ROM and Sit and Reach test before training and at the end of 3rd and 6th week. Both static stretching and eccentric training group performed training for 3 days in a week for 6 weeks, while control group did not performed any training. Data was analyzed using one way ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni for ROM and Kruskal Wallis with post hoc Mann Whitney for SRT. Results The data analysis revealed that there was significant improvement in hamstring flexibility after both static stretching and eccentric training group, but not in the control group. Significant improvement was obtained in both static stretching (ROM 11.83º, SRT 4.22cm) eccentric training (ROM 11.13º, SRT 4.05cm) but not in control group (ROM 0.3º, SRT 0.3 cm). No significant difference was found between both experimental groups Conclusion Eccentric training group and static stretching group both showed significantly greater gains in flexibility than control group. There was no significant difference between eccentric training and static stretching on hamstring flexibility in healthy young males. Top Keywords ROM-range of motion, SRT- Sit and Reach test. Top |