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Chronic effect of different types of stretching on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Meta-analysis of 20 RCTs in healthy adults: chronic static stretching increased ankle dorsiflexion ROM (mean +5.17°; 95% CI 4.39–5.95; I²=0%); PNF also increased ROM (+4.32°; CI 1.59–7.04); ballistic stretching did not show a significant benefit in the pooled model.
Design
- SR + MA; 20 RCTs (493 records screened)
- Population: healthy adults (children / pathology excluded)
- Endpoint: ankle dorsiflexion ROM (DFROM)
Pooled mean changes vs control (abstract)
- Static stretching: +5.17° (95% CI 4.39–5.95; I² = 0%)
- PNF: +4.32° (95% CI 1.59–7.04; I² = 46%)
- Ballistic stretching: +3.77° (95% CI −0.03 to 7.56; I² = 46%) — not statistically significant
Practical translation
Authors conclude chronic stretching improves ankle mobility in healthy adults especially with a static component.
Publication
Medeiros DM, et al. Foot (Edinb). 2018 Mar;35:28-35. PMID 29223884.
Outcomes
- Static stretching: pooled mean increase in ankle dorsiflexion ROM +5.17° (95% CI 4.39-5.95; I²=0%).
- PNF stretching: +4.32° (95% CI 1.59-7.04). Ballistic stretching CI crossed null (+3.77°; 95% CI -0.03 to 7.56).