Effect of Different Stretching Techniques

Subjects lay supine on a treatment table, holding one knee to the chest and letting the other leg extend freely toward the floor at the end of the table. This protocol was adapted from previous studies. The hip joint was carefully and gradually lowered towards the floor, with the knee flexing at a 90-degree angle until the individual experienced a mild stretching sensation (Visual analog scale:4-6). Then, the subject performed a sub-maximal voluntary isometric contraction by utilizing the flexor muscles for 20 seconds while resisting the applied force exerted by an examiner through the utilization of a hand-held dynamometer (K-Force Muscle Control). The examiner proceeded to passively manipulate the leg to achieve the desired range of motion (ROM), maintaining it for 20 seconds. This process was repeated six times for each limb. The patient rested for 2 minutes before applying the same technique to the other side.

While the patient was lying supine, the hip and knee joints on the non-stretch side were kept in 90⸰ flexion. A sandbag was positioned on the side to be stretched, specifically proximal to the patella, in order to induce a moderate sensation of stretching in the patient. Subsequently, a force was exerted in the direction of hip extension for a duration of 30 seconds. Afterward, the patient was instructed to relax. This process was repeated a total of six times, with a designated 20-second rest period between each repetition. The patient took a two-minute rest before the same technique was applied to the other side. There was no specific order on which side to apply the technique.