Comparison of Static Stretching Versus Eccentric Training to Increase Flexibility of Hamstring Muscle in Healthy Hospital Nurses

Objective: To compare the effect of static stretching (SST) versus eccentric training (ECT) in increasing the flexibility of hamstring muscle in healthy hospital nurses.

Design: Prospective experimental study.

Participants & outcome measure: 30 healthy nurses were alternately allocated into two equal groups. Group A subjects were treated with SST & Group B subjects were treated with ECT. Outcome measures were recorded on first & seventh day by measuring the popliteal angle/ Active Knee Extension Test using a goniometer.

Result: On statistical analysis day one popliteal angle for both groups was measured and found non significant with p=0.465, whereas on seventh day both groups showed statistically significant increase in popliteal angle with p=0.017, but inter group analysis showed that group A was statistically more significant than group B with p=0.000.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the SST and ECT improves the Popliteal angle i.e. hamstring flexibility and will prevent muscle injury. SST resulted in maximum improvement as compared to ECT on hamstring flexibility.