LASTING EFFECTS OF ONE BOUT OF 2 15-SECOND PASSIVE STRETCHES ON ANKLEDORSIFLEXION RANGE OF MOTION

Although passive stretching is widely used, the parameters of stretchi ng necessary to achieve a lasting length have not been determined. Thi s study investigated the lasting effects of one bout of two 15-second passive stretches on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion. Conducting th is study was important because, while ii focused on a sufficient minim um duration, it considered lengthening mechanisms thought to contribut e to a lasting length. Nineteen healthy volunteers with symmetrical li mitations of ankle dorsiflexion participated Stretching was done in un ilateral standing with the subject's heel suspended over the edge of a platform. Four 5-second active dorsiflexion contractions were used as a preconditioning intended to stabilize the effects of mechanisms pro viding temporary length gains and were found to be effective. Measurem ents of passive dorsiflexion range of motion were taken over 24 hours. This study found no statistically significant length gains using a si ngle bout oi two 15-second stretches. These data do not provide eviden ce of lasting lengthening at this duration. Further research to determ ine a minimum one-bout lasting length duration is encouraged.