Objectives: To evaluate the effect of 3 different time durations of sustained end-range cervical rotation during static stretching exercises on the hemodynamics of the vertebral artery.

Methods: This observational study used Doppler ultrasonography to measure the average vertebral artery hemodynamics at the sustained end-range cervical rotation after 3 time durations of static stretching exercise: 10 seconds, 30 seconds, and 60 seconds. The sustained end-range cervical rotation was applied to 30 asymptomatic male participants.

Results: The peak systolic velocity 35.2 ± 6.9 cm/s and the end systolic velocity 12.7 ± 1.6 cm/s reduced significantly, while resistive index 0.74 ± 0.03 increased after 60 seconds of sustained end-range contralateral cervical rotation by 39.1%, 32.4%, and 8.8%, respectively, compared with the neutral position. There were no significant differences found between peak systolic velocity and resistive index after a stretching duration of 60 and 30 seconds. Similarly, there were no notable changes in end systolic velocity when comparing 10 seconds with 30 seconds.

Conclusion: The static stretching exercise using sustained end-range cervical rotation for 60 seconds induced marked changes in the hemodynamics of the vertebral artery.

Author keywords: Static Stretching; Doppler Ultrasonography; Vertebral Artery; Cervical Spine Rotation

Author affiliation: WSM: Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Egypt; EMK: Department of Physiotherapy, College of Applied Medical Science, University of Hail, Saudi Arabia; Department of Physiotherapy, El Helal Hospital, Egypt; MZM: Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; ASA: Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Physical Therapy for Cardiovascular, Respiratory Disorders, and Geriatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

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