Effect of static stretching of quadriceps and hamstring muscles on knee joint position sense

Objectives: To evaluate if a stretch regimen consisting of three 30 second stretches would alter joint position sense (JPS). Methods: A blinded, randomised, cross over design with a washout time of 24 hours was used with 20 healthy volunteers. JPS was estimated from the ability to reproduce the same position in one knee ( target versus estimated angle) expressed as the difference between target and estimated angle (constant error, CE). Measurements were repeated three times in a sitting and a prone position on the dominant leg measured before and immediately after the static stretch. The static stretch consisted of a 30 second stretch followed by a 30 second pause, repeated three times. Results: At baseline, the mean (SD) CE was -2.71 (3.57) degrees in the sitting position. No difference (p = 0.99) in CE between stretching and control was observed (0.00; 95% confidence interval 20.98 to 0.99). At baseline, the CE was -3.28 (4.81) degrees in the prone position. No difference (p = 0.89) in CE between stretching and control was observed (0.12; 95% confidence interval -1.52 to 1.76). Conclusion: A static stretch regimen had no effect on JPS in healthy volunteers.