Abstract
Simple SummaryIt is well known that stretching interventions are effective in improving age-related changes in range of motion (ROM) and muscle stiffness. We investigated the effects of various stretching interventions, such as static stretching and hold–relax stretching, on ROM and muscle stiffness in older adults to establish the most effective stretching technique. Our results showed that static stretching and hold–relax stretching increased ROM, which could be contributed by not change in muscle stiffness, but stretch tolerance. Conversely, medial gastrocnemius muscle stiffness decreased only after a static stretching intervention and not after hold–relax stretching. Our results indicated that static stretching intervention improved ROM and muscle stiffness in older adults.Various stretching techniques are generally recommended to counteract age-related declines in range of motion (ROM) and/or increased muscle stiffness. However, to date, an effective stretching technique has not yet been established for older adults. Consequently, we compared the acute effects of hold relax stretching (HRS) and static stretching (SS) on dorsiflexion (DF) ROM and muscle stiffness among older adults. Overall, 15 elderly men and nine elderly women (70.2 ± 3.9 years, 160.8 ± 7.8 cm, 59.6 ± 9.7 kg) were enrolled, and both legs were randomized to either HRS or SS stretching. We measured DF ROM and muscle stiffness using a dynamometer and ultrasonography before and after 120 s of HRS or SS interventions. Our multivariate analysis indicated no significant interaction effects, but a main effect for DF ROM. Post-hoc tests revealed that DF ROM was increased after both HRS and SS interventions. Moreover, multivariate analysis showed a significant interaction effect for muscle stiffness. Post-hoc tests revealed that muscle stiffness was decreased significantly after only SS intervention. Taken together, our results indicated that both HRS and SS interventions are recommended to increase ROM, and SS is recommended to decrease muscle stiffness in older adults.
Highlights
Introduction distributed under the terms andGenerally, range of motion (ROM) is known to decrease with age [1,2], and previous studies have suggested that decreased ROM leads to a decline in locomotion and balance [3,4].a decline in ROM could lead to an increased risk of falls [5]
Post-hoc test revealed that POST muscle stiffness values were significantly lower than PRE values during Static stretching (SS) (p < 0.01, Effect sizes (ES) = 0.87), whereas no significant difference was observed during hold relax stretching (HRS) (p = 0.220, ES = 0.23)
The mechanisms for the change in stretch tolerance after stretching intervention have currently been unclear, our results showed that HRS and SS were effective in changing DF ROM among older adults, while SS was effective in decreasing medial gastrocnemius (MG) stiffness among older adults
Summary
Introduction distributed under the terms andGenerally, range of motion (ROM) is known to decrease with age [1,2], and previous studies have suggested that decreased ROM leads to a decline in locomotion and balance [3,4].a decline in ROM could lead to an increased risk of falls [5]. Previous studies have shown that increased muscle stiffness associated with antagonist muscle contractions can inhibit joint movement and result in higher energetic/metabolic costs [12,13] This increase in muscle stiffness among older adults could be a factor inhibiting activities of daily living and might lead to falls in some cases. Hirata et al reported no significant changes in the muscle stiffness of the MG and LG muscle bellies among older men after 450 s of SS, they did observe a decrease in muscle stiffness at the distal portion of the MG after the same time of SS [16] Based on these studies, we can assume that SS intervention increases ROM and decreases muscle stiffness in older adults
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