Effects of a 3-Minute Standing Stretch on Ankle-Dorsiflexion Range of Motion

Context: Stretching exercise regimens are routinely prescribed to increase range of motion (ROM) and diminish injuries. Objective: To examine the effect of a 3-minute passive stretch on ankle-dorsiflexion ROM in a nonpathological population. Setting: University laboratory. Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled study. Participants: 24 apparently healthy volunteers. Interventions: Subjects stood with their heels suspended from the edge of a platform. The experimental subjects stretched for 3 minutes on 3 consecutive days. Main Outcome Measures: Passive ankle-dorsiflexion ROM. Results: Ankle-dorsiflexion ROM increased significantly (P < .0005) over the course of each day’s stretch. No significant gains in ankle-dorsiflexion ROM were realized over 3 days. Conclusions: These findings suggest the need for further research to determine the stretching frequency and duration that will result in lasting increases in ankle-dorsiflexion ROM