Randomized Control Trial on Effectiveness of Static Stretching on Hamstring Flexibility in Indian School Children (5-12 Yrs)

Randomized control trial with experimental design. To find out the effect of static stretching on hamstring flexibility, to find out the prevalence of limited hamstring flexibility. 140 (70 males and 70 females) school going children were selected from government school who met the selection criteria were equally divided into control and experimental groups. The control group received no intervention while the experimental group received static stretching session for hamstrings. Hamstrings flexibility was measured using Sit and Reach Test (SRT) and Inclinometer measuring Hip Joint Angle (HJA). Significance of difference between control group and experimental group were measured using t-test using SPSS (21st version). Significance level was set at p ≤ 0.01. Experimental group showed significant improvements in term of SRT (t = 25.219, p ≤ 0.0001) and HJA for both right leg (t = 13.405, p ≤ 0.0001)&left leg (t = 10.070, p ≤ 0.0001). Results of present study indicate that static stretching is effective in improving hamstring flexibility in school children.