Moderate Static Stretching and Torque Production of the Knee Flexors

Abstract

Recent studies have suggested that acute static stretching (SS) decreases muscular strength and performance, particularly of the knee extensors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of SS on peak concentric and eccentric torque production in the knee flexors. Subjects (13 women and 16 men) were tested for isokinetic concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) peak torque at 2 velocities (60 and 210 degrees x s(-1)) before and after a 3-minute knee flexor SS protocol. Subjects also underwent a control day in which the isokinetic pre- and posttests were separated by 10 minutes of sitting rather than stretching. A sit and reach test was administered on both days to assess changes in flexibility that occurred as a result of the stretching or control protocols. The change in flexibility was significantly greater after stretching than after sitting. Changes in peak torque were not significantly different between the stretching and control conditions for either velocity or contraction type. Compared with the control condition, SS of the knee flexors before maximal isokinetic testing does not lead to significantly diminished CON or ECC torque output at slow or fast contraction velocities. These data suggest that moderate SS does not impact the performance of all muscle groups.

Effects of static stretching on quadriceps peak torque and hip Range of Motion in professional soccer players and sedentary subjects

“…Our study showed that SS at 60 and 300 degrees per second did not affect the PT in the stretched extremity. These findings were in agreement with several previous studies (2,17,26).…”

“…On the other hand, most studies do not show a negative effect of static stretching on strength performance (2,(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26). Some authors suggest that duration of stretching would certainly have an effect on performance.…”

Acute effects of muscle stretching on physical performance, range of motion, and injury incidence in healthy active individuals: a systematic review

“…Thus, dose-dependent effects cannot be examined suitably in this context. Nonetheless, 3 studies (Brandenburg 2006;Sekir et al 2010;Costa et al 2013) reported significant reductions in a total of 8 eccentric strength measures, whereas 6 studies (Ayala et al 2014;Cramer et al 2006Cramer et al , 2007Gohir et al 2012;McHugh and Nesse 2008;Winke et al 2010) reported no change in 15 eccentric measures (≥60 s, -4.2%); these small-tomoderate changes are similar to those observed when isometric and concentric testing were completed (Supplementary Table S4 1 ). Considering that most muscle strain injuries occur during the eccentric phase in most activities (Orchard et al 1997), the limited number of studies describing the effect of SS on maximal eccentric strength is problematic, especially given that no studies have examined the effects of shorter stretch durations.…”

Evaluation of Passive Stretching in the Hamstrings Flexibility of Who Practice Exercises

“…Many exercises can be used in sports and therapeutic environments for increasing flexibility, enhancing the performance of individuals, and rehabilitating athletes and sedentary people [3,4].…”