Abstract
The effects of stretching administration on aerobic performance have not been yet extensively investigated. This study aims to assess the acute effects of pre-exercise passive stretching on the mean response time (MRT), i.e., the temporal interval between the increase in work rate and the rise in pulmonary oxygen uptake (\( \dot{V}\hbox{O}_{2 } \)), during an incremental ramp test. Eight physically active males (age 23 ± 4 years; stature 1.74 ± 0.13 m; body mass 71 ± 7 kg; mean ± standard deviation) performed two incremental ramp tests (25 W/min) of 5 min, with and without pre-exercise stretching. During tests, we measured \( \dot{V}\hbox{O}_{2 } \) and other metabolic and cardiorespiratory parameters. Before and after stretching the joint mobility and maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of the knee extensor muscles were evaluated. Stretching reduced MVC by 9 % (P < 0.05) and lengthened MRT by 34 % (P < 0.05). These results are compatible with an altered motor unit activation pattern due to mechanical and neuromuscular changes of the muscle-tendon unit induced by stretching, which lead to an altered aerobic response to ramp exercise.
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