The effects of 6 weeks of constant-angle muscle stretching training on flexibility and muscle function in men with limited hamstrings’ flexibility

Brusco, Clarissa Müller; Blazevich, Anthony J.; Pinto, Ronei Silveira

doi:10.1007/s00421-019-04159-w

Cited by 11 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Alteration in ROM after SS are attributed to alterations in passive property of the muscle and tolerance for stretching [ 5 – 7 ]. In the present study, relative passive torque [ 11 ] and muscle-tendon unit stiffness [ 7 , 10 , 19 ] were measured as indicators of the passive property of the hamstrings, and peak passive torque was measured as an indicator of tolerance for stretching [ 10 , 26 , 27 ]. Previous studies showed that ROM and peak passive torque increased, but muscle-tendon unit stiffness of the hamstrings decreased after high-intensity SS for 20 [ 22 ] and 180 seconds [ 8 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The passive torque during ROM measurement was recorded in the isokinetic dynamometer machine. Passive torque was obtained at two points [11]. (1) relative passive torque was obtained at the same knee angle reached before SS to examine changes in passive properties of the muscle-tendon unit.…”

Section: Passive Torquementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The passive property of the muscle-tendon unit is measured by using muscle-tendon unit stiffness, which is calculated from the slope of the torque-angle curve during passive joint movement [8][9][10]. On the other hand, tolerance for stretching is measured by peak passive torque during passive joint movement [10][11][12]. ROM is defined as one at which the subject is able to have a maximally tolerable angle without pain.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The optimal duration of high-intensity static stretching in hamstrings

Takeuchi¹,

Nakamura²

2020

PLoS ONE

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The purpose of this study was to compare the duration of high-intensity static stretching on flexibility and strength in the hamstrings. Methods Fourteen healthy males (20.8 ± 0.6 years, 170.7 ± 6.5 cm, 66.4 ± 9.9 kg) underwent highintensity static stretching for three different durations (10, 15, and 20 seconds). The intensity of static stretching was set at the maximum point of discomfort. To examine the change in flexibility and strength, range of motion, peak passive torque, relative passive torque, muscle-tendon unit stiffness, peak torque of isokinetic knee flexion, and knee angle at peak torque of isokinetic knee flexion were measured. To evaluate a time course of pain, a numerical rating scale was described. Results Range of motion (P < 0.01), peak passive torque (P < 0.01), and knee angle at peak torque were increased at all interventions. Relative passive torque (P < 0.01) and muscle-tendon unit stiffness (P < 0.01) were decreased at all interventions. Peak torque decreased after 10 seconds of stretching (P < 0.05). Numerical rating scale during stretching was 8-9 levels in all interventions, the pain disappeared immediately after the post-measurements (median = 0). Conclusion The results suggested that muscle-tendon unit stiffness decreased regardless of duration of high-intensity static stretching. However, peak torque of isokinetic knee flexion decreased after 10 seconds of high-intensity static stretching, though it was no change after for more than 15 seconds of stretching.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Passive Torquementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The optimal duration of high-intensity static stretching in hamstrings

Takeuchi¹,

Nakamura²

2020

PLoS ONE

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“…The researchers' results indicated larger improvements in gastrocnemius cross-sectional area and fascicle length of the stretched leg as well as larger one-leg countermovement jump performance compared with the control leg. Andrade Abdel-Aziem et al [57] Plantar flexor [1] Muscle strength MVC concentric peak torque-plantar flexor [1] MVC eccentric peak torque-plantar flexor [1] Flexibility ROM-dorsiflexion [1] Akagi et al [58] Plantar flexor [1] Muscle strength MVC isometric peak torque-plantar flexor [1] Flexibility ROM-plantar flexor [1] Barbosa et al [19] Hamstring [1] Muscle strength MVC eccentric peak torque-knee flexor [1] Muscle power Triple hop [1] Batista et al [59] Knee extensor [1] Muscle strength MVC concentric peak torque-knee extensor [1] MVC concentric peak torque-knee flexor [1] MVC eccentric peak torque-knee extensor [1] MVC eccentric peak torque-knee flexor [1] MVC isometric peak torque-knee extensor [1] MVC isometric peak torque-knee flexor [1] Flexibility ROM-knee extension [1] Bazett-Jones et al [16] Hamstring [1] Muscle power Vertical jump [1] Flexibility ROM-knee extension [1] Berenbaum et al [82] Hamstring, quadriceps [2] Muscle power Horizontal jump [2] Vertical jump [2] Flexibility ROM-knee extension [2] Sit and reach [2] Blazevich et al [18] Plantar flexor [1] Muscle strength MVC peak torque-plantar flexor [1] Muscle power RFD-plantar flexor [1] Flexibility ROM-plantar flexion [1] Brusco et al [20] Hamstring [1] Muscle strength MVC dynamic peak torque-knee flexor [1] MVC isometric peak torque-knee flexor [1] MVC passive peak torque-knee flexor [1] Flexibility ROM [1] Brusco et al [60] Hamstring [1] Muscle strength MVC dynamic peak torque-knee extensor [1] Flexibility ROM-hip flexion [1]...…”

Section: Main Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chronic Effects of Static Stretching Exercises on Muscle Strength and Power in Healthy Individuals Across the Lifespan: A Systematic Review with Multi-level Meta-analysis

et al. 2023

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Background The current literature on the chronic effects of static stretching (SS) exercises on muscle strength and power is unclear and controversial. Objective We aimed to examine the chronic effects of SS exercises on muscle strength and power as well as flexibility in healthy individuals across the lifespan. Design Systematic review with meta-analysis of (randomized) controlled trials. Data Sources A systematic literature search was conducted in the databases PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and SPORTDiscus up to May 2022. Eligibility Criteria for Selecting Studies We included studies that investigated the chronic effects of SS exercises on at least one muscle strength and power outcome compared to an active/passive control group or the contralateral leg (i.e., using between- or within-study designs, respectively) in healthy individuals, irrespective of age, sex, and training status. Results The main findings of 41 studies indicated trivial-to-small positive effects of chronic SS exercises on muscle strength (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.21, [95% confidence interval 0.10–0.32], p = 0.001) and power (SMD = 0.19, 95% confidence interval 0.12–0.26], p < 0.001). For flexibility, moderate-to-large increases were observed (SMD = 0.96, [95% confidence interval 0.70–1.22], p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses, taking the participants’ training status into account, revealed a larger muscle strength improvement for sedentary (SMD = 0.58, p < 0.001) compared with recreationally active participants (SMD = 0.16, p = 0.029). Additionally, larger flexibility gains were observed following passive (SMD = 0.97, p < 0.001) compared with active SS exercises (SMD = 0.59, p = 0.001). The chronic effects of SS on muscle strength were moderated by the proportion of female individuals in the sample (β = 0.004, p = 0.042), with higher proportions experiencing larger gains. Other moderating variables included mean age (β = 0.011, p < 0.001), with older individuals showing larger muscle strength gains, and the number of repetitions per stretching exercise and session (β = 0.023, p = 0.004 and β = 0.013, p = 0.008, respectively), with more repetitions associated with larger muscle strength improvements. Muscle power was also moderated by mean age (β = 0.006, p = 0.007) with larger gains in older individuals. The meta-regression analysis indicated larger flexibility gains with more repetitions per session (β = 0.094, p = 0.016), more time under stretching per session (β = 0.090, p = 0.026), and more total time under stretching (β = 0.078, p = 0.034). Conclusions The main findings indicated that chronic SS exercises have the potential to improve muscle strength and power. Such improvements appear to benefit sedentary more than recreationally active participants. Likewise, chronic SS exercises result in a marked enhancement in flexibility with larger effects of passive, as compared with active, SS. The results of the meta-regression analysis for muscle strength indicated larger benefits of chronic SS exercises in samples with higher proportions of female, older participants, and a higher number of repetitions per stretching exercise and session. For muscle power, results suggested larger gains for older participants. Regarding flexibility, findings indicated larger benefits following a higher number of repetitions per exercise and a longer time under stretching per session as well as a longer total time under stretching.

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“…In the present study, all three sets of static stretching were performed at the same knee angle, but the sensation of the pain during the stretching decreased with each stretching session. Therefore, it was possible that changes in stretching tolerance could contribute to changes in ROM in all stretching interventions, although the present study did not measure the value of passive torque at terminal ROM as the index of stretching tolerance ( Brusco et al, 2019 ; Takeuchi and Nakamura, 2020a ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

High-Intensity Static Stretching in Quadriceps Is Affected More by Its Intensity Than Its Duration

et al. 2021

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A previous study reported that 3-min of high-intensity static stretching at an intensity of 120% of range of motion (ROM) did not change the muscle stiffness of the rectus femoris, because of the overly high stress of the stretching. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of high-intensity static stretching of a shorter duration or lower intensity on the flexibility of the rectus femoris than that of the previous study. Two experiments were conducted (Experiment 1 and 2). In Experiment 1, eleven healthy men underwent static stretching at the intensity of 120% of ROM for two different durations (1 and 3 min). In Experiment 2, fifteen healthy men underwent 3-min of static stretching at the intensity of 110% of ROM. The shear elastic modulus of the quadriceps were measured. In Experiment 1, ROM increased in both interventions (p < 0.01), but the shear elastic modulus of the rectus femoris was not changed. In Experiment 2, ROM significantly increased (p < 0.01), and the shear elastic modulus of the rectus femoris significantly decreased (p < 0.05). It was suggested that the stretching intensity (110%) is more important than stretching duration to decrease the muscle stiffness of the rectus femoris.

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The effects of 6 weeks of constant-angle muscle stretching training on flexibility and muscle function in men with limited hamstrings’ flexibility

Cited by 11 publications

References 38 publications

The optimal duration of high-intensity static stretching in hamstrings

The optimal duration of high-intensity static stretching in hamstrings

Chronic Effects of Static Stretching Exercises on Muscle Strength and Power in Healthy Individuals Across the Lifespan: A Systematic Review with Multi-level Meta-analysis

High-Intensity Static Stretching in Quadriceps Is Affected More by Its Intensity Than Its Duration

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