Influence of total stretching volume on hamstring muscle flexibility in Secondary students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v74.117483Keywords:
Adolescents , flexibility, hamstring, passive stretching, Physical EducationAbstract
Introduction: flexibility is an essential component of physical fitness, particularly relevant during adolescence, a stage in which lifestyle habits are consolidated and may influence long-term musculoskeletal health and physical performance.
Objective: the aim of this study was to examine the effects of two passive stretching programs of different durations on hamstring flexibility in Secondary Education students, while ensuring equivalence in the total stretching volume.
Methodology: a quasi-experimental design was employed with three groups: one performing passive stretching with 60-second sets, another with 20-second sets, and a control group. The intervention lasted 10 weeks and was carried out during Physical Education lessons. Flexibility was assessed using the Wells and Dillon sit-and-reach test.
Results: significant improvements in hamstring flexibility were observed in both intervention groups compared with the control group. Although the 60-second protocol tended to produce greater gains, the differences between the experimental groups did not reach statistical significance.
Discussion: these findings align with previous evidence highlight total stretching volume as the key determinant of flexibility improvements, regardless of the duration of each individual set. They also support the feasibility of implementing passive stretching programs in educational contexts as effective and time-efficient strategies.
Conclusions: passive stretching programs can be considered a practical and beneficial tool to improve hamstring flexibility in adolescents, and their inclusion in Physical Education lessons contributes to the promotion of health and physical development.
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