Effect of a short-term static stretching training program followed by five weeks of detraining on hamstring extensibility in children aged 9-10 years

The objective of this present study was to determine the effects of a short-term stretching training program followed by five weeks of detraining on hamstring extensibility among children aged 9-10 years. A total of 45 children aged 9-10 years, 24 boys and 21 girls, participated in the present study. Participants were clustered randomly assigned to a stretching group or a control group. Hamstring extensibility was estimated by the classic sit-and-reach test, which it was applied at the beginning and at the end of the stretching training program, as well as after five weeks of stretching detraining. The stretching group participants performed a five-minute stretching training program twice a week for eight weeks. The results of the two-way ANOVA showed that, the stretching training program significantly increased the children's hamstring extensibility. Nevertheless, after five weeks of stretching detraining, the flexibility levels reverted back to the baseline. For the control group participants no statistically significant differences were found.