THE BENEFITS OF STRETCHING DURING IMMOBILZATION

Abstract

Stretching may help maintain physiological functions during immobilization. We examined the effects of static stretching on calf girth, and dorsiflexion ROM, and plantarflexor strength after two weeks of immobilization. Thirty-six females aged (19.81±2.48) were randomly assigned to a control group (CG), experimental group (EG), or experimental stretching group (ESG). All groups completed pre-test and a post-test measures of muscle girth, dorsiflexion ROM, and plantarflexion strength. The EG and ESG wore an Aircast FP Walker for two weeks on the left leg, with the ESG participating in a stretching program two times each day. ANCOVA’s and least significant differences procedures (p<0.05) were used to determine differences between groups. Significant differences were found between groups in the post-test measures for all three dependent variables.