Abstract
PurposeThe present study investigated whether or not passive stretching increases the force-generating capacity of the antagonist muscle, and the possible neuromuscular mechanisms behind.MethodsTo this purpose, the neuromuscular function accompanying the force-generating capacity was assessed in 26 healthy male volunteers after passive stretching and in a control session. Before and after passive intermittent static stretching of the plantar flexors consisting of five sets × 45 s + 15 s-rest, maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) and surface electromyographic root mean square (sEMG RMS) were measured in the tibialis anterior (the antagonist muscle). Additionally, evoked V wave, H-reflex, and M wave were elicited by nerve stimulation at rest and during MVC. Ankle range of motion (ROM) and plantar flexors MVC and EMG RMS were measured to check for the effectiveness of the stretching manoeuvre.ResultsNo change in MVC [p = 0.670; effect size (ES) − 0.03] and sEMG RMS/M wave during MVC (p = 0.231; ES − 0.09) was observed in the antagonist muscle after passive stretching. Similarly, no change in V wave (p = 0.531; ES 0.16), H-reflex at rest and during MVC (p = 0.656 and 0.597; ES 0.11 and 0.23, respectively) and M wave at rest and during MVC (p = 0.355 and 0.554; ES 0.04 and 0.01, respectively) was observed. An increase in ankle ROM (p < 0.001; ES 0.55) and a decrease in plantar flexors MVC (p < 0.001; ES − 1.05) and EMG RMS (p < 0.05; ES − 1.72 to − 0.13 in all muscles) indicated the effectiveness of stretching protocol.ConclusionNo change in the force-generating capacity and neuromuscular function of the antagonist muscle after passive stretching was observed.
Highlights
Passive stretching is widely employed in sports and rehabilitation to improve joint range of motion (ROM)
The neuromuscular factors may have their origin in supraspinal inhibition and reduction in spinal reflex excitability, and/ or be of peripheral origin, i.e., possible impairment in the events involved in excitation–contraction coupling processes; their contribution to reducing contractile force-generating capability remains to be elucidated (Trajano et al 2017; Pulverenti et al 2020)
No two-way interaction was found for maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) (p = 0.713) and tibialis anterior Surface electromyography (sEMG) RMS/Msup (p = 0.610), and no change in MVC (p = 0.670, effect size (ES) − 0.03, − 0.66 to 0.61) and tibialis anterior sEMG RMS/Msup (p = 0.231, ES − 0.09, − 0.45 to 0.64) after passive stretching was recorded
Summary
Passive stretching is widely employed in sports and rehabilitation to improve joint range of motion (ROM). Recent research has focused on the possible effects of passive stretching on the antagonist muscle not directly exposed to passive stretching (Sandberg et al 2012; Miranda et al 2015; Wakefield and Cottrell 2015; Serefoglu et al 2017). Should further evidence of stretch-induced increase in antagonist muscle be provided, this would be useful in both sports and rehabilitation practice None of these studies investigated the possible neuromuscular mechanisms underlying the potential stretch-induced increase in strength in the antagonist muscle
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