Effects of Active and Passive Warm-ups on Range of Motion, Strength, and Muscle Passive Properties in Ankle Plantarflexor Muscles

Abstract

Takeuchi, K, Takemura, M, Nakamura, M, Tsukuda, F, and Miyakawa, S. Effects of active and passive warm-ups on range of motion, strength, and muscle passive properties in ankle plantarflexor muscles. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2018-The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of active and passive warm-ups on flexibility and strength of calf muscles. Fourteen healthy males (age: 23.1 ± 2.6 years, height: 172.7 ± 5.6 cm, and body mass: 64.5 ± 7.0 kg) performed 3 types of warm-ups respectively for 10 minutes in a random order: an active warm-up by pedaling a cycling ergometer, an active warm-up doing repeated isometric contractions, and a passive warm-up in a hot water bath. To assess flexibility, range of motion (ROM) of ankle dorsiflexion, passive torque of ankle plantarflexion, and muscle tendon junction (MTJ) displacement were measured and then muscle tendon unit (MTU) stiffness was calculated. After the flexibility assessment, peak torque during maximum voluntary isometric contraction was measured to assess the isometric strength. These data were compared before and after each warm-up. As a result, all 3 types of warm-ups increased ROM (p < 0.05) and passive torque at terminal ROM (p < 0.01), but there were no significant changes in MTU stiffness or MTJ displacement. The active warm-up by pedaling a cycling ergometer increased peak torque during isometric contraction (p < 0.05), whereas the other warm-ups did not show significant alterations. In conclusion, the active warm-up with aerobic exercise increased flexibility and strength of the calf muscles.

An Acute Bout of Self-Myofascial Release Does Not Affect Drop Jump Performance despite an Increase in Ankle Range of Motion

“…In a study applying hot packs for 15 min to the plantar flexor muscles followed by static stretching, the results showed an increase in both passive and active ROM [34]. This increase in temperature accelerates metabolism and circulation and might contribute to an improvement in performance [33]. Whilst muscle temperature was not measured in this study, there is sufficient evidence to support the effects of increased temperature on flexibility that should not be discounted [35].…”

“…Changes in tolerance and passive properties of muscle may account for ROM alteration [33]. These changes are reported to include muscle tendon unit stiffness and muscle tendon junction displacement [33].…”

“…Changes in tolerance and passive properties of muscle may account for ROM alteration [33]. These changes are reported to include muscle tendon unit stiffness and muscle tendon junction displacement [33]. However, Yoshimura et al reported no changes to fascicle length and aponeurosis displacement following 3 min of foam rolling to the medial head of the gastrocnemius, at a force ranging between 15-25% of body mass [31].…”

Influence of Aerobic Exercise After Static Stretching on Flexibility and Strength in Plantar Flexor Muscles

“…Previous reports have shown that too much stiffness may lead to various lower body injuries including soft-tissue and joint and bone injuries, occurring in non-contact situations (Ekstrand and Gillquist, 1983;Watsford et al, 2010;Pickering Rodriguez et al, 2017). Therefore, many conditioning coaches use SS as a part of a warm-up routine in order to prevent sports-related injuries, because other interventions including aerobic exercise (Takeuchi et al, 2018), anaerobic exercise (Takeuchi et al, 2018), and dynamic stretching (Mizuno, 2017), cannot decrease the stiffness.…”

“…However, it is difficult to evaluate the effects of such exercise, because the sports-specific exercise that is needed as a part of a warm-up differs between each sport (Weir et al, 2005;McHugh and Cosgrave, 2010;Mizuno et al, 2013a). On the other hand, it is shown that ROM and muscle strength increased and MTU stiffness showed no change after low-intensity aerobic exercise, which is the component of conventional warm-up protocol (Takeuchi et al, 2018). Therefore, it may be possible to clarify the mechanisms of restoration of a deficit of muscle strength induced by SS by examining the effects of aerobic exercise after SS.…”