ANALYSIS OF THE INFLUENCE OF STATIC STRETCHING AND ECCENTRIC TRAINING ON FLEXIBILITY OF HAMSTRING MUSCLES

Abstract

Previous studies have investigated the efficacy of stretching exercises and eccentric training in hamstring flexibility. The objective of this study was to comparatively investigate the efficacy of eccentric training and static stretching in flexibility gain, using a different eccentric training protocol. This study included 13 individuals having on average 23.15±1.72 years of age. The subjects were trained 3 times a week for 6 weeks and a pre- post- comparative analysis was conducted. It was observed that both static stretching and eccentric training resulted in the same non-significant gains in hamstring muscle flexibility. Probably eccentric training is a better training strategy for being able not only to increasing flexibility but for being able to increase strength and protect against muscle damage.