The Relationship between Stretching Intensity and Changes in Passive Properties of Gastrocnemius Muscle-Tendon Unit after Static Stretching.

Taizan Fukaya,Kaoru Yahata,Shigeru Sato,Ryosuke Kiyono,Hideaki Onishi,Satoru Nishishita,Masatoshi Nakamura,Kazuki Inaba

doi:10.3390/sports8110140

Taizan Fukaya, Kaoru Yahata + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/sports8110140

Copy DOI

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between relative or absolute intensity and changes in range of motion and passive stiffness after static stretching. A total of 65 healthy young adults voluntarily participated in this study and performed static stretching of the plantar flexor-muscle for 120 s. Dorsiflexion range of motion and passive torque during passive dorsiflexion before and after stretching were assessed. We measured the passive torque at a given angle when the minimum angle was recorded before and after stretching. The angle during stretching was defined as the absolute intensity. Dorsiflexion range of motion before stretching was defined as 100%, and the ratio (%) of the angle during stretching was defined as the relative intensity. A significant correlation was found between absolute intensity and change in passive torque at a given angle (r = −0.342), but relative intensity and range of motion (r = 0.444) and passive torque at dorsiflexion range of motion (r = 0.259). A higher absolute intensity of stretching might be effective in changing the passive properties of the muscle-tendon unit. In contrast, a higher relative intensity might be effective in changing the range of motion, which could be contributed by stretch tolerance.

Highlights

Flexibility has been defined as the ability to move a joint with its complete range of motion (ROM).ROM plays an important role in sports performance and the ability to carry out activities of daily living [1,2], which might influence muscle strain injury risk [3]
Regarding the relationship between absolute intensity, i.e., DF angle of Static stretching (SS), and changes after SS, our results showed that the absolute intensity was significantly negatively correlated with the change in passive torque at a given angle, suggesting that the higher absolute intensity greatly decreases the passive torque at a given ROM when compared among individuals
This study investigated the relationship between absolute and relative intensities of SS and the changes in DF ROM, passive torque at DF ROM, and passive torque at a given ROM after a 120 s

Summary

Introduction

Flexibility has been defined as the ability to move a joint with its complete range of motion (ROM). ROM plays an important role in sports performance and the ability to carry out activities of daily living [1,2], which might influence muscle strain injury risk [3]. Stretching is performed in several fields to increase ROM. Static stretching (SS) is one of various stretching methods. A systematic review has reported that ROM increases after SS [4]. This review suggests that mechanisms of ROM

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion