Regular stretch does not increase muscle extensibility: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to determine whether regular stretch increases hamstring muscle extensibility. Sixty healthy individuals were randomly allocated to an experimental or a control group. The experimental group attended supervised stretch sessions where they stretched the hamstring muscles of a randomly allocated leg for 30 min five times a week for 6 weeks. The control group did not attend any stretch sessions during this period. No participants withdrew from the study. A purpose built device was used to measure passive hip flexion during a straight leg-raise manoeuvre with the application of a standardized and non-standardized stretch torque. The stretch intervention did not increase passive hip flexion when measured with a standardized stretch torque [mean treatment effect=-1 degrees; 95% confidence interval (CI)=-3 to 2 degrees]. It did, however, increase passive hip flexion when measured without a standardized stretch torque (mean treatment effect=10 degrees, 95% CI=6-14 degrees). Six weeks of sustained 30-min daily stretch does not increase the extensibility of the hamstring muscle of healthy individuals. It does, however, improve stretch tolerance leading to increased joint range of motion without any actual improvements in muscle extensibility.

Reeducação Postural Global: uma revisão da literatura

“…Timson 19 argues that the increase in the number of sarcomeres in series and reorganization of collagen after sustained stretching usually are reversed when the stimulus to stretching is removed. Ben and Harvey 20 performed daily sessions of 30 minutes of sustained stretching for six weeks on healthy and active individuals and observed an increase in discomfort tolerance associated with stretching, but no increase in muscle extensibility, which suggests the need for a treatment program involving a larger number of treatment sessions when using the GPR method.…”

Magnitude of physiological curvatures of the spine and the incidence of contractures of selected muscle groups in students

“…In adult persons, muscle dystonia results in excessive strain on the musculoskeletal system, and frequently pain [2,6,13,14]. Due to the above, maintaining the appropriate degree of muscle flexibility and the optimal physiological ranges of motion in the joints will determine the correct functioning of the body and the correct musculoskeletal fitness [4].…”

Comparação do alongamento estático, balístico e contrair-relaxar nos músculos isquiotibiais

“…There are several consequences resulting from the shortening of hamstring muscles among them postural deviations 1 , change of the lumbopelvic rhythm, low back pain 1,2 , predisposition to lesions 3 and development of patellar tendinopathy 2 . Considering this reality the performance of stretching exercises both in the practice of sports as in rehabilitation centers is frequent 3 .…”

“…Considering this reality the performance of stretching exercises both in the practice of sports as in rehabilitation centers is frequent 3 . The practice of stretching exercises promotes some benefits such as improved athletic performance and functional gains in addition to the maintenance of health and fitness 4,5 .…”