Montgomery K, Frey N, Motzer J, Wells C; Graduate School of Physical Therapy, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA. USA. didpt@hotmail.com.

PURPOSE: Active isolated stretching involves a contraction of the muscle opposite the one being stretched with slight overpressure provided at end-range. By changing the position of the foot during the stretch, active isolated stretching is thought to isolate the stretch more effectively to different portions of the hamstring providing a more effective stretch. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of an active isolated stretch compared to a passive static stretch. SUBJECTS: Fifteen healthy people (ages 24 to 42, mean age = 28.6) volunteered. All participants had tight hamstrings as determined by lacking 30° active knee extension with the hip flexed 90° and pelvis anteriorly tilted while in supine. METHODS: Subjects were separated randomly into either a passive static stretch or an active isolated stretch treatment group. Both stretching protocols included 15 stretching sessions with active and passive range of motion measured after every third session. ANALYSES: A mixed analysis of variance (a =0.05) was performed to analyze the effects and interactions between stretching group, type of flexibility gained, and time. RESULTS: Results show no significant difference in overall flexibility gained between active isolated stretch and passive static stretch (p=0.08). Although there was no significant difference, active isolated stretching showed a slightly greater increase than passive static stretching in active range of motion (18.0° and 12.6° respectively) and passive range of motion (24.3° and 17.8° respectively). Both stretching techniques resulted in greater gains in passive range of motion than active range of motion. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that, although both stretching techniques significantly increased hamstring flexibility over time, active isolated stretching was no more effective than passive static stretching. Within each stretching group, the rate of gain in active and passive range of motion was similar. Clinicians may consider active isolated stretching as a comparable alternative to passive static stretching when treating patients. FUNDING SOURCE: Matt Hollen built and donated a stabilizing apparatus used during stretching. A grant was obtained from Slippery Rock University’s Graduate Studies.

Reprint Information
Requests for reprints should be directed to the corresponding author of the article. Students and other academic customers may receive permission to reprint copyrighted material from Physical Therapy by contacting the Copyright Clearance Center Inc, 222 Rosewood Dr, Danvers, MA 01923. Similar inquiries by all others should be made to the APTA Editorial Office, Attn: Physical Therapy.