The Effects of Static Stretching Exercises and Stationary Cycling on Range of Motion at the Hip Joint

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of static stretching exercises and stationary cycling on hip range of motion measures immediately following exercise and after a 15-min period of rest or continued activity. The results showed that both exercises performed for equal time periods resulted in hip range of motion increases with no significant difference (p < 0.05) between the immediate effects of the two exercises. Fifteen minutes of cycling or inactivity did not result in significant differences (p < 0.05) from the initial gains resulting from the stretching, but did result in significant increases in hip flexion for the group that continued cycling. Based on the results of this study, static stretching and cycling were equally effective for increasing range of motion and retaining the increase for a 15-min period in a controlled environment, independent of activity.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1984;6(2):104-109.