Immediate effect of static stretching versus dynamic stretching of the hamstring muscle in recreational college athletes

Abstract

Background: Support for dynamic stretching has grown in recent years, because several investigations show the potential for acute static stretching to degrade athletic performance. The hamstring muscle is the most frequent and disabling musculotendinous strain among athletes. Hence, this study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Static Stretching (SS) and Dynamic Stretching (DS) in acutely improving hamstring flexibility among recreational college athletes. Methodology: 72 male recreational athletes of mean age 23.59 ± 1.55 years with limited hamstring flexibility were randomly assigned to either SS or DS groups. Athletes in the SS group performed one single static stretch for 30 seconds and those in DS group performed six dynamic stretches for 30 seconds. Results and Conclusion:A significant difference in hamstring flexibility was found between SS group (3.60°) and DS group (8.12°) (p< 0.001). Hence, indicating that one session of DS through a full range of motion improved hamstring flexibility, better than SS.