Effect of different stretch amplitudes of dynamic stretching on joint range of motion

Abstract

This study examined the effects of different dynamic stretching (DS) amplitudes on joint range of motion (ROM), passive torque (PT), and subjective fatigue. Twelve healthy subjects (age [mean ± SD] = 19.3 ± 1.0 years) underwent three experimental trials: DS at maximal active ankle plantarflexion-dorsiflexion ROM (DS100), DS at 80% maximal active ROM (DS80), or control. Ankle angle and PT were measured before and after DS with the ankle passively dorsiflexed at 1º/s to its maximal ROM. DS consisted of four sets of 30 s of ankle plantarflexion-dorsiflexion at 100 beats/min while standing. Subjective fatigue during DS was measured using the visual-analogue scale. Maximal ankle dorsiflexion angle was significantly increased after DS100 (20.6 ± 3.5º to 23.8 ± 3.8º, P < 0.05); no changes were seen after DS80/ control. Subjective fatigue was significantly greater at two (2.6 ± 0.7 mm vs 1.2 ± 0.3 mm), three (3.7 ± 0.9 mm vs 1.3 ± 0.3 mm), and four (5.2 ± 0.9 mm vs 1.6 ± 0.3 mm) sets of DS100 than with DS80 (P < 0.05). PT at maximal dorsiflexion increased from before to after stretching (DS100: 26.3 ± 3.2 Nm to 30.4 ± 3.4 Nm, DS80: 28.8 ± 3.0 Nm to 31.0 ± 3.3 Nm, Control: 26.6 ± 2.8 Nm to 29.1 ± 3.5 Nm, P < 0.05), although there were no significant differences among trials. These results indicated that greater active ROM during DS is important for increasing joint ROM, although DS with greater active ROM induces greater subjective fatigue.

Effects of Dynamic Stretching Velocity on Joint Range of Motion, Muscle Strength, and Subjective Fatigue

“…The present findings demonstrated that ankle ROM was increased after both DS velocities (approximately 1.0° increment after DS100, and approximately 2.1° increment after DS50). The increase in ankle ROM after DS50 was similar to that reported in previous studies (10,11,14,18), whereas the increase after DS100 was less than that reported in previous studies. However, because there was no significant difference in the increase in ROM between trials, the results indicated that there was no effect of DS velocity on increase in ankle ROM.…”

“…This increment in subjective fatigue was due to the increment of DS velocity. Thus, DS velocity seems to be one of the factors increasing DS-induced fatigue, similar to DS duration and DS amplitude (11,20). Impairment of exercise performance by DS-induced fatigue is a serious problem (18,20).…”

“…Impairment of exercise performance by DS-induced fatigue is a serious problem (18,20). In addition, it is possible that the decrease in maximal dorsiflexion angle during DS observed in DS100 diminishes the DS-induced increment of joint ROM (11). Thus, if the aim of DS is to improve joint ROM, the current study suggests that moderate DS velocity is appropriate.…”

“…One previous study reported that the maximal ankle dorsiflexion angle was not increased after 15 repetitions of DS, but increased after 4 sets of 15 repetitions and 7 sets of 15 repetitions of DS (10). It was also reported that DS at maximal amplitude (i.e., DS at maximal active plantar flexion-dorsiflexion ROM) increased the maximal ankle dorsiflexion angle, although no change was seen after DS at 80% maximal active ROM (11). However, no previous study has clarified the effects of DS velocity on joint flexibility.…”

Combined Static Stretching and Electrical Muscle Stimulation Induce Greater Changes in Range of Motion, Passive Torque, and Tendon Displacement Compared with Static Stretching

“…The test–retest reliability for maximal dorsiflexion angle, displacement of the MTJ at the maximal dorsiflexion angle, and passive torque at maximal dorsiflexion angle were reported in previous studies [ 15 , 21 ].…”