The role of stretching in rehabilitation of hamstring injuries: 80 athletes follow-up

Purpose: The objective of our study was the assessment of the effects of stretching in the rehabilitation of hamstring injuries. Methods: We followed up 80 Greek athletes, of average age 20.5 yr, with second-degree strain of the hamstring muscles. The athletes were divided into two groups, A and B. For both groups, we estimated the time required for the rehabilitation of the decreased knee ROM and the total time before the athletes could return to a full training program. Results: Group B, which carried out a more intensive stretching program, was found to have a statistically significant shorter time of regaining normal ROM (5.57 +/- 0.71 d) and rehabilitation period (13.27 +/- 0.71 d) in comparison with group A (7.32 +/- 0.525 d and 15.05 +/- 0.81 d, respectively). Conclusion: Our results suggest that stretching is of great importance in treating muscle strain injuries in that it improves the effectiveness of the rest rehabilitation program.