Effects of a 6-Week Home-Based High- or Regular-Volume Static Stretching or Hamstring Resistance Exercise in Young Men with Hamstring Tightness.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to examine the effects of unilateral long-duration static stretching (LS) on range of motion (ROM), musculotendinous unit (MTU) stiffness, muscle thickness (MT), strength, and contralateral effects (CE) in young men with hamstring tightness.

METHODS

Sixty-eight young men (22.0 ± 1.7 years) were randomly assigned to one of four groups: LS, typical-duration static stretching (SS), hamstring resistance exercise (HRE), or control. ROM, MTU stiffness, MT, and knee-flexor peak torque were assessed at baseline, after the 6-week intervention, and at the 3-month follow-up.

RESULTS

ROM improvement after the 6-week was observed across the LS, SS, and HRE groups (all p<0.05). Significant decreases in MTU stiffness were observed, with reductions of 0.13 Nm/deg in the hamstrings for both the stretching groups (all p<0.05). At the 3-month follow-up, reductions in MTU stiffness remained evident in the LS group. A significant time effect was observed for bilateral peak torque without interaction or group effects, while MT showed no changes.

CONCLUSIONS

One hour of hamstring stretching did not result in superior improvements in ROM, MTU stiffness, or morphological and CE adaptations compared to other exercise modalities. Nevertheless, SS remains a time-efficient approach to enhance flexibility and mechanical properties in a home-based setting.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR20250219007).