The Effect of Static Stretching of the Calf Muscle-Tendon Unit on Active Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion

Abstract

Study Design: Masked randomized trial. Objective: To examine the effects of a 6-week program of static stretching of the calf muscle-tendon unit (MTU) on active ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ADFROM) in healthy subjects. Background: Static stretching of the calf MTU is often prescribed to increase flexibility in patients with shortened connective tissues or to maintain ADFROM in healthy individuals. Presently, physical therapists lack specific information on the optimal dosage of calf MTU stretching necessary to produce improvement in ADFROM. Methods and Measures: One hundred one adults (63 women, 38 men; mean age ± SD, 40.0 ± 10.9 years; range, 21-59) with no visual evidence of gait impairment due to lower-extremity dysfunction participated in the study. Active ADFROM was measured with a universal goniometer. Participants were randomly assigned to group 1, no stretch controls (n = 24), or to 1 of 3 experimental groups carrying out a 6-week program of standing wall stretches once per day: individuals in group 2 stretched for 30 seconds (n = 26); individuals in group 3 stretched for 1 minute (n = 24); individuals in group 4 stretched for 2 minutes (n = 27). Results: After 6 weeks, the results of an analysis of variance found no effect of treatment on active ADFROM. Conclusion:The results of this study show that a 6-week program of once-per-day static stretching for up to 2 minutes is not sufficient to increase active ADFROM in healthy subjects. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2003;33:408-417

Comparação de duas diferentes intensidades de alongamento na amplitude de movimento

“…Não há consenso na literatura sobre a configuração dos componentes da carga de treinamento da flexibilidade que possibilite maiores ganhos de ADM (1,20) . Isso é demonstrado no que diz respeito ao componente duração (20)(21)(22) e à relação número de repetições -duração (4,20,23) . Além disso, estudos sobre a relevância da intensidade do estímulo de alongamento para o desenvolvimento da flexibilidade ainda são escassos (24) .…”

The Effects of Active Stretching Exercise on Passive Stiffness of Rectus Femoris Muscle and Low Back Pain in Patients with Lumbar Extension Rotation Syndrome

“…6 Active RF stretching exercise during 6-week was performed one session a day on 5 consecutive days of the week. 15 During intervention period, subjects were asked not to perform vigorous physical exercise and any stretching exercises. Stretching diary was gi-…”

Combined Effects of Stretching and Resistance Training on Ankle Joint Flexibility

“…However, many studies have shown that stretching training increases flexibility of the ankle joint [5,[11][12][13], although one study failed to improve active DF ROM after a 6-week static stretching regimen [4]. From the reports of Alter [14] and Kawakami et al [15], active DF ROM requires force development of the dorsiflexor muscles as well as the extensibility of the plantar flexor muscles.…”

“…The ROM is generally defined in two conditions: active ROM, joint mobility with voluntarily effort using her/his own muscle strength, and passive ROM, joint mobility by an external force while the muscles crossing the joint remaining relaxed [1][2][3][4]. Both active and passive dorsiflexion (DF) ROMs are related to performances in daily activities and sports and a larger DF ROM is associated with higher efficiency of walking and running [5][6][7][8].…”