Efficacy of Stretching on Pain Sensitivity

Efficacy of a Stretching Protocol on Regional and Distant Pain Sensitivity:

The primary objective of this study is to determine the immediate efficiency of a six weeks regular stretching protocol on regional and distant pain sensitivity. It is hypothesised that regional and distant pain sensitivity will significantly decrease following six weeks of regular stretching.

The secondary objective of the study is to determine the effect after four-week cessation of the stretching protocol on regional and distant pain sensitivity. If regional and distant pain sensitivity decrease following regular stretching, it is hypothesised that the analgesic effect will abate following four-week cessation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy men and women aged 18-65 years are recruited. As part of the screening, volunteers will also be asked to indicate known medical issues or diseases. Participants are included if they have no known medical conditions such as
• cognitive impairments,
• neurological,
• orthopaedic,
• or neuromuscular problems that might affect the somatosensory system or preclude stretching exercises or range of motion testing at the knee.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals who regularly engage in flexibility training (e.g., stretching, tai chi, pilates or yoga)
• or use any medication that might affect the somatosensory system, such as pain medication, are excluded.