INTRODUCTION: Stretching exercises increase the extensibility of soft tissue and restore muscle length. Stretching produces immediate effects and a single session is able to improve the extensibility and muscle mobility. The technique of stretching and positioning affect the level of muscle tension. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the immediate effects of stretching on flexibility of the iliopsoas muscle in different positions through a single session, identifying maximum tension of muscles and connecting the stretch with common changes of lumbar-pelvic alignment in the sagittal plane. METHODOLOGY: It was a controlled clinical assay randomized single blind. The population was composed by students with shortening of the iliopsoas muscle. Was performed a static stretching session for a minute by extending the hip joint in supine positions, semi-flexion of knees, prone and lateral position. For paired analysis of the positions for the stretch was used Wilcoxon test (α < 0,01). RESULTS: Participants were 40 students, divided in groups of ten individuals each. The average age was 22 ± 1.7 years. Most participants were female (77.5%) and 75% reported an episode of low back pain at some stage of life. It was observed, as the immediate effects of stretching, a gain in muscle flexibility in the supine position, semi-flexion of knees and lateral position. There was also a tendency to retroversion of the pelvis and neutralization. CONCLUSION: The different positions provide a greater range of positions allowing the physiotherapist to choose which is most suitable for each individual.
Muscle stretching exercises; Psoas muscle; Spine
