The acute effect in performing common range of motion tests in healthy young adults: a prospective study

In the application of range of motion (ROM) tests there is little agreement on the number of repetitions to be measured and the number of preceding warm-up protocols. In stretch training a plateau in ROM gains can be seen after four to five repetitions; with increasing repetitions, the ROM gain is reduced. This study examines whether such an effect occurs in common ROM tests. Twenty-two healthy sport students (10 male/12 female; 25.3 ± 1.94 years; 174.1 ± 9.8 cm; 66.6 ± 11.3 kg; BMI 21.9 ± 2.0 kg/m²) performed five ROM tests in randomized order, measured either with a tape measure (Fingertip-to-Floor, Lateral Inclination) or a digital inclinometer (Retroflexion of the trunk modified after Janda, modified Thomas test, Shoulder test modified after Janda). To evaluate acute effects across 20 repetitions, repeated-measures ANOVA or Friedman tests with multiple comparisons were conducted; non-linear regression was used to identify plateau formation (significance 5%). Significant flexibility gains were observed in seven of eight test conditions (FtF: p<0.001; LI-left/right: p<0.001/0.001; RF: p=0.009; ST-left/right: p<0.001/p=0.003; TT-left: p<0.001). Non-linear mixed-effects regression was successfully applied for FtF, RF, LI-left/right, ST-left, and TT-left, indicating a gradual decline in ROM gains. An acute effect was observed in most ROM tests, characterized by diminishing ROM gain with repetitions. Thus, the acute effect described in stretching literature also applies to typical ROM tests. Given the non-linear behavior, practitioners must balance measurement accuracy against time/effort. Researchers and practitioners should consider this when applying ROM assessments to healthy young adults.

F. Holzgreve, C. Maurer-Grubinger, J. Isaak, P. Kokott, M. Mörl-Kreitschmann, L. Polte, A. Solimann, L. Wessler, N. Filmann, A. van Mark, L. Maltry, D. A. Groneberg, D. Ohlendorf