Reeducação postural global e alongamento estático segmentar na melhora da flexibilidade, força muscular e amplitude de movimento: um estudo comparativo

Exercícios de alongamento são usados para aumentar a flexibilidade e amplitude de movimento (ADM). Entre os métodos existentes, destacam-se a reeducação postural global (RPG), que promove o alongamento global das cadeias musculares, e o alongamento segmentar, que alonga um músculo ou grupo muscular específico. Este estudo visou comparar o alongamento segmentar e o global pela técnica de RPG quanto ao ganho de flexibilidade, ADM e força muscular. Trinta mulheres foram distribuídas aleatoriamente em três grupos (n=10 em cada): o grupo global fez alongamento de cadeias musculares; o grupo segmentar realizou alongamento segmentar; e o grupo controle não fez alongamento. Antes e depois do tratamento, em todos os grupos, foram avaliadas a ADM de extensão da perna, flexibilidade pelo teste 3o dedo-solo e força isométrica de flexão da perna em 45° e 90°. Os dois grupos experimentais realizaram oito sessões de alongamento de 30 minutos cada, duas vezes por semana. Toda a análise estatística foi realizada com pStretching exercises are prescribed to increase flexibility and range of motion (ROM). Two current stretching methods are the global posture reeducation (GPR), where muscle chains are stretched, and segmentary exercises, where a single muscle or muscle group is stretched. The aim of this study was to compare these two techniques, assessing their effects on improving flexibility, ROM and muscle strength. Thirty women were randomly distributed into three groups (n=10 each): global group performed stretching following GPR method; segment group performed segment stretching exercises; and control group did no exercise. Before and after treatment, in all groups, knee extension ROM, flexibility by means of the fingertip-to-floor test, and isometric muscular strength at 45° and 90° knee flexion were measured. Each treated group performed eight stretching 30-minute sessions for four weeks, twice a week. Data were statistically analysed and the significance level set at p<0.05. Global and segment group results were similar and better than control group's concerning ROM, flexibility and muscle strength at 45° and 90° knee flexion (p<0.05). When assessing improvement inter-sessions, both groups had better ROM improvement at the first sessions, decreasing along the others. Both global and segmentary stretching techniques were hence found effective in improving flexibility, ROM and leg muscle strength

Assessment and comparison of the effects of two techniques on hamstring flexibility

Introduction There are several stretching techniques that help increase flexibility, however, there are still questions regarding which method leads to the most effective gains. Objectives To assess and compare the effects of two stretching techniques, namely proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and static stretching on the flexibility of hamstring muscles of young women. Methods The study sample consisted of 45 young women, mean age 20.45 (± 1.66),assigned to one of three groups: static stretching group (SSG, n = 15), proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation group (PNFG, n = 15) and control group (CG, n = 15). Both SSG and PNFG carried out three weekly stretching sessions over a four-week period. The sit and reach and popliteal angle tests were used at the beginning and end of the intervention. Normally distributed data were analyzed using Student’s t-test, whereas data with non-normal distribution were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test, to compare initial and end measurements for each technique. Finally, we used the Mann-Whitney U test to compare both techniques with each other. A significance level of 5% (p < 0.05) was adopted. Results There was a significant increase in hamstring flexibility when analyzing the assessments and reassessments of both stretching protocols. Conclusions Both techniques were effective in increasing hamstring flexibility and there were no significant differences to indicate which one is better in increasing the flexibility of this muscle group.Introdução Existem diversas técnicas de alongamento que auxiliam o aumento de flexibilidade, entretanto ainda prevalecem dúvidas sobre qual método aponte ganhos majoritariamente eficazes. Objetivos Avaliar e comparar os efeitos das técnicas de alongamento Facilitação Neuromuscular Proprioceptiva (FNP) e o Alongamento Estático na flexibilidade dos músculos isquiotibiais de jovens mulheres. Métodos Participaram do estudo 45 jovens, mulheres, com média de idade entre 20,45 (± 1,66), que foram divididas em três grupos: grupo alongamento estático (GAE, n = 15), grupo alongamento facilitação neuromuscular proprioceptiva (GFNP, n = 15) e grupo controle (GC, n = 15). Os grupos GAE e GNFP realizaram três sessões semanais de alongamento durante quatro semanas. As voluntárias foram avaliadas por meio do Teste Sentar e alcançar e pelo Teste do Ângulo poplíteo no início e ao fim das intervenções. Os dados com distribuição normal foram analisados pelo Teste t de student, para os dados com distribuição não normal, foi utilizado o Teste de Wilcoxon para comparar cada técnica e o Teste de Mann-whitney para comprar as duas técnicas. Foi adotado o nível de significância de 5% (p < 0,05). Resultados Houve aumento significativo da flexibilidade dos músculos isquiotibiais quando analisadas as avaliações e reavaliações em ambos os protocolos de alongamento. Conclusões Ambas as técnicas são eficazes para o ganho de flexibilidade dos músculos isquiotibiais, não apresentando diferenças significativas que evidenciasse qual delas é a melhor para o ganho de flexibilidade desse grupo muscular.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho Departamento de Fisioterapia e Terapia OcupacionalUniversidade Estadual PaulistaUniversidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho Departamento de Fisioterapia e Terapia OcupacionalUniversidade Estadual Paulist

Influência do intervalo de tempo entre as sessões de alongamento no ganho de flexibilidade dos isquiotibiais Influence of the time interval between stretching sessions on increased hamstring flexibility

CONTEXTO: A otimização do treino de flexibilidade está relacionada com o uso de parâmetros adequados de alongamento. Entretanto, o intervalo de tempo adequado entre as sessões de alongamento tem sido pouco investigado. OBJETIVO: Verificar se a variação no intervalo de tempo entre sessões de alongamento influencia no ganho de flexibilidade. MÉTODOS: 28 mulheres, com idade de 22,5 ± 1,8 anos, foram distribuídas aleatoriamente em três grupos. Aplicaram-se 10 sessões de alongamento nos isquiotibiais do membro direito. O grupo 0X (n = 8) foi o controle e não recebeu alongamento. O grupo 3X (n = 10) alongou três vezes por semana (intervalo de 48 horas) e o grupo 5X (n = 10), cinco vezes (intervalo de 24 horas). Aplicaram-se 10 sessões de alongamento (sustentar-relaxar) nos isquiotibiais direitos. As medidas foram tomadas por análise fotométrica no programa AutoCad® 2000. A análise estatística foi realizada com ANOVA e teste post hoc de Newman-Keuls adotando um p-valor referencial de 0,05. RESULTADOS: Após 10 sessões, identificou-se aumento da flexibilidade nos grupos experimentais, porém sem diferença entre estes. O grupo 3X aumentou significativamente a partir do 10º dia do programa (quinta sessão) e o grupo 5X, a partir do terceiro (terceira sessão). CONCLUSÕES: O alongamento aumenta a flexibilidade dos isquiotibiais, independente do tempo entre as sessões (24 ou 48 horas); e a variável tempo não influencia o ganho de flexibilidade total. Porém, com cinco sessões semanais, ganha-se flexibilidade mais rapidamente. Isso sugere que o ganho de flexibilidade é sessão-dependente.<br>CONTEXT: The optimization of flexibility training is related to the use of ideal stretching parameters. However, the time interval between sessions has been little investigated. OBJECTIVE: To verify if the variation in time interval between stretching sessions influences in flexibility gain. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-eight women, average age of 22.5 ± 1.8 years, were randomly distributed into three groups. Group 0X was the control and performed no stretching. Group 3X (n = 10) took part in three sessions per week (interval = 48 hours) and group 5X (n = 10) in five times (interval = 24 hours). Ten stretching sessions were applied (hold-relax) to the right hamstring. The measurement of active knee extension was performed using photometric analyses on AutoCAD® 2000 software. Statistical analysis was carried out with ANOVA and Newman-Keuls post hoc test for a significance level of p < 0.05. RESULTS: After 10 sessions, increased flexibility was identified in the experimental groups (p < 0.01), but with no difference between them. Group 3X significantly increased flexibility from the tenth day of the program (fifth session) and group 5X from the third day (third session). CONCLUSIONS: Stretching increases hamstring flexibility, regardless of the time between sessions (24 or 48 hours). Moreover, the interval between the sessions does not influence total flexibility gain. However, with five weekly stretching sessions, flexibility increases more rapidly than it does with three, suggesting that flexibility gain is session-dependent

The Comparison of the Effects of Three Physiotherapy Techniques on Hamstring Flexibility in Children: A Prospective, Randomized, Single-Blind Study

The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in hamstring flexibility in 120 asymptomatic children who participated in a 6-week program consisting of one physiotherapy session per week and daily home exercises. The recruitment criteria included age (10–13 years), no pain, injury or musculoskeletal disorder throughout the previous year, physical activity limited to school sport. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: (1) post-isometric relaxation – PIR (n = 40), (2) static stretch combined with stabilizing exercises – SS (n = 40) and (3) stabilizing exercises – SE (n = 40). Hamstring flexibility was assessed with straight leg raise (SLR), popliteal angle (PA) and finger-to-floor (FTF) tests. The examinations were conducted by blinded observers twice, prior to the program and a week after the last session with the physiotherapist. Twenty-six children who did not participate in all six exercise sessions with physiotherapists were excluded from the analysis. The results obtained by 94 children were analyzed (PIR, n = 32; SS, n = 31; SE, n = 31). In the PIR and SS groups, a significant (P<0.01) increase in SLR, PA, FTF results was observed. In the SE group, a significant (P<0.001) increase was observed in the SLR but not in the PA and FTF (P>0.05). SLR result in the PIR and SS groups was significantly (P<0.001) higher than in the SE group. As far as PA results are concerned, a significant difference was observed only between the SS and SE groups (P = 0.014). There were no significant (P = 0.15) differences regarding FTF results between the three groups. Post-isometric muscle relaxation and static stretch with stabilizing exercises led to a similar increase in hamstring flexibility and trunk forward bend in healthy 10–13-year-old children. The exercises limited to straightening gluteus maximus improved the SLR result, but did not change the PA and FTF results