Table 2 Statistics of the subgroup analysis. Negative values of Std diff (= standardized difference) in means indicate a favorable effect for stretching (and vice versa) on range of motion

Muscles tested

Sit and Reach

5

−0.272

(−0.529 to −0.016)

0.038^a

Hamstrings

25

−0.674

(−0.831 to −0.518)

 < 0.001^a

Triceps surae

11

−0.504

(−0.821 to −0.187)

0.002^a

Hip Adductors

4

−0.128

(−0.429 to 0.172)

0.403

Overall

45

−0.495

(−0.609 to −0.381)

 < 0.001

(Q = 13.67; df (Q) = 3; P = 0.003)^b

Intensity of stretch

High intensity

20

−0.570

(−0.782 to −0.358)

 < 0.001^a

Low intensity

13

−0.524

(−0.735 to −0.312)

 < 0.001^a

Overall

33

−0.547

(−0.697 to −0.397)

 < 0.001

(Q = 0.092; df (Q) = 1; P = 0.76)

Trained state

Active

24

−0.496

(−0.655 to −0.337)

 < 0.001^a

Sedentary

9

−0.499

(−0.825 to −0.173)

0.003^a

Overall

33

−0.496

(−0.639 to −0.353)

 < 0.001

(Q = 0.000; df (Q) = 1; P = 0.98)

Stretching techniques

Static

36

−0.570

(−0.724 to −0.416)

 < 0.001^a

Ballistic/Dynamic

10

−0.447

(−0.718 to −0.177)

0.001^a

PNF

9

−0.581

(−0.843 to −0.318)

 < 0.001^a

Overall

55

−0.548

(−0.667 to −0.429)

 < 0.001

(Q = 0.667; df (Q) = 2; P = 0.72)

Male

16

−0.607

(−0.853 to −0.361)

 < 0.001^a

Female

3

−0.639

(−1.033 to −0.246)

0.001^a

Overall

19

−0.616

(−0.825 to −0.408)

 < 0.001

(Q = 0.019; df (Q) = 1; P = 0.89)