Effects of Different Heating Modalities on Hip Flexion Passive Range of Motion

Context: Therapeutic modalities are routinely administered to increase flexibility, but the relative effects of different modes of tissue heating on passive range of motion (PROM) are unknown. Objective: To assess the relative effects of active exercise on a stationary bicycle, moist hot pack treatment, and warm whirlpool treatment on hip flexion PROM. Design: Repeated measures. Subjects: 24 males and 20 females between the ages 18 and 24 years. Main Outcome Measure: Hip flexion PROM measured by an inclinometer. Results: Repeated measures analysis of variance identified a significant difference among the heating methods, F(1, 43) = 32.41; p < .001. Active exercise produced the greatest change in hip flexion PROM. Conclusions: All three treatment methods produced an increase in hip flexion PROM, but active exercise produced a significantly greater increase than moist hot pack and warm whirlpool treatments.