Discussion
The results of this study show that stretching duration does have an eVect on ROM after a five week active stretching programme. These findings are not in complete agreement with previous literature. The presence of increases in ROM after the completion of the training programme concurs with findings of Cornelius et al16 and Bandy and Irion.9
When the diVerences observed between the two treatment groups were compared, there were no significant diVerences in improve- ments made in passive ROM. The lack of an eVect of stretching duration on passive ROM in this study contrasts with the findings of Bandy and Irion9 who found stretching durations of 30 and 60 seconds to be more eVective than 15 seconds. However, in the study of Bandy and Irion there is no indication whether total amount of time spent in a stretch position dur- ing the entire training programme was control- led. This factor, if not controlled, could explain the diVerences observed. Subjects in the longer duration treatment groups would be exposed to more time in a stretched position and there- fore likely to show greater improvements. The present study did control the total amount of time spent in a stretched position during the entire training programme.