Acute partial passive stretching increases range of motion and muscle strength.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of partial passive stretching (PPS) on peak torque (PT) and joint range of motion (ROM) in healthy subjects.

Methods: Twenty-two males (mean age 20.4±1.0 yrs, height 181.1±4.2 cm and weight 75.8±6.8 kg) participated in the study. Quadriceps and hamstrings PT at different angular velocities was obtained on an isokinetic dynamometer. Standing leg method hop was tested for the stretched and unstretched leg. Each subject performed PPS for 20 seconds. The stretching procedure was repeated 5 times for each muscle group. The whole stretching program lasted for 6 minutes and 20 seconds followed by 5 seconds resting period.

Results: Directly after the stretching procedure significant increases were observed of PT in quadriceps and hamstrings, however, only at 300o.s⁻¹ (P<0.05). Joint ROM was increased in all subjects (P<0.05). The distance in single length hop was increased significantly in the stretched leg following stretching (P<0.05). No changes were observed in the unstretched leg.

Conclusion: Our results indicated that the PPS altered ROM, maximal concentric isokinetic strength at high angle velocities and single length hop only for the stretched leg. These findings suggest that PPS may be an effective technique for enhancing muscle performance.