To find out the efficacy of eccentric training verses static stretching, in improving gastrocnemius muscle flexibility in male students.
Few studies have evaluated that static stretching and eccentric training have equal effect on improving flexibility in hamstring muscle since the gastrocnemius is also a important muscle for athletic and daily activities so eccentric training may have effect to improve flexibility in gastrocnemius muscle.
This study included thirty subjects of gastrocnemius shortening with lunge test positive between the age group of 15–17, they are divided into three groups (control and experimental groups-eccentric and static stretching group) randomly. Experimental group were treated with eccentric training and static stretching and control group were treated without any stretching.
Each subject was treated 30 second treatment of each session for 3 sessions in week. Each subject received treatment for six weeks.
The experimental groups were shown statistically significant improvement in gastrocnemius flexibility when compared with control group, whereas eccentric training is highly significant at p<0.001**. When compared with static stretching group.
This study shows that static stretching and eccentric training both are effective but the eccentric training is highly effective and statistically significant in increasing gastrocnemius flexibility in male school students.
Eccentric training, Static stretching, Gastrocnemius flexibility
