Passive Static Stretching Research Articles

Experience in Resistance Training Does Not Prevent Reduction in Muscle Strength Evoked by Passive Static Stretching

This study examined whether passive static stretching reduces the maximum muscle strength achieved by different body segments in untrained and resistance-trained subjects. Twenty adult men were assigned to 1 of the following groups: untrained (UT, N = 9) and resistance-trained (RT, N = 11) groups. The subjects performed six 1 repetition maximum (1RM) load tests of the following exercises: horizontal bench press, lat pull-downs, bicep curls, and 45° leg press. The results achieved in the last two 1RM tests were used for statistical analyses. A passive static stretching program was incorporated before the sixth 1RM test. The body fat content was significantly higher in the UT group compared with the RT group (p < 0.0001). Moreover, the RT group showed significantly higher proportion of lean body mass compared with the UT group (p < 0.0001). Maximum muscle strength on all 4 exercises was significantly reduced in both groups after stretching (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the magnitude of muscle strength reduction was similar for the UT and the RT groups. The exception was for barbell curls, in which the muscle strength depression was significantly higher in the UT group compared with the RT group (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the passive static stretching program was detrimental to upper- and lower-body maximal muscle strength performance in several body segments. The negative effects of stretching were similar for subjects participating in resistance training regimens.

Acute Effect of Passive Static Stretching on Lower-Body Strength in Moderately Trained Men

The purpose of this investigation was conducted to determine the acute effect of passive static stretching (PSS) of the lower-body musculature on lower-body strength in a 1 repetition maximum (1RM) squat exercise in young (18-24 years.) moderately trained men (n = 17). Two supervised warm-up treatments were applied before each performance testing session using a counterbalanced design on nonconsecutive days. The first treatment consisted of an active dynamic warm-up (AD) with resistance machines (i.e., leg extension/leg flexion) and free weights (i.e., barbell squat), whereas the second treatment added PSS of the lower body plus the AD treatment. One repetition maximum was determined using the maximum barbell squat following a progressive loading protocol. Subjects were also asked to subjectively evaluate their lower-body stability during 1RM testing sessions for both the AD and PSS treatments. A significant decrease in 1RM (8.36%) and lower-body stability (22.68%) was observed after the PSS treatment. Plausible explanations for this observation may be related to a more compliant muscle tendon unit and/or altered or impaired neurologic function in the active musculature. It is also possible that strength was impaired by the PSS because of joint instability. The findings of this study suggest that intensive stretching such as lower-body PSS should be avoided before training the lower body or performing the 1RM in the squat exercise in favor of an AD dynamic warm-up using resistance training equipment in the lower-body musculature.

Effects of a Short Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching Bout on Quadriceps Neuromuscular Function, Flexibility, and Vertical Jump Performance

The inclusion of relatively long bouts of stretching (repeated static stretches of ∼30 seconds) in the warm-up is usually associated with a drop in muscle performance. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a novel self-administered proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) paradigm with short periods of stretching and contraction on quadriceps neuromuscular function, vertical jump performance, and articular range of motion (ROM). Twelve healthy men (age: 27.7 ± 7.3 years, height: 178.4 ± 10.4 cm, weight: 73.8 ± 16.9 kg) volunteered to participate in a PNF session and a control session separated by 2-7 days. The PNF stretching lasted 2 minutes and consisted of 4 sets of 5-second isometric hamstring contraction immediately followed by 5 seconds of passive static stretch of the quadriceps immediately followed by 5 seconds isometric quadriceps contraction for each leg. For the control session, the participants were asked to walk at a comfortable speed for 2 minutes. Active ROM of knee flexion, vertical jump performance, and quadriceps neuromuscular function were tested before, immediately after, and 15 minutes after the intervention. The PNF stretching procedure did not affect ROM, squat jump, and countermovement jump performances. Accordingly, we did not observe any change in maximal voluntary contraction force, voluntary activation level, M-wave and twitch contractile properties that could be attributed to PNF stretching. The present self-administered PNF stretching of the quadriceps with short (5-second) stretches is not recommended before sports where flexibility is mandatory for performance.

The Effect of Different Warm Up Stretch Protocols on 20m-Sprint Performance in Trained Soccer Players

Abstract Aim : The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of different static and dynamic stretch protocols on a 20-meter sprint. Method : 120 male soccer players were randomly assigned to 4 groups. (i) Passive static stretch (PSS) (n=30), (ii) active dynamic stretch (ADS) (n=30), (iii) active static stretch (ASS) (n=30), (iv) static dynamic stretch (SDS) (n=30). All groups performed a standard 10-min. jog as the warm-up, followed by two 20-m sprints. The 20-m sprints were repeated after subjects performed different stretch protocols. Results : The PSS and ASS groups had a significant increase in sprint period (P≤0.05), while the ADS group had a significant decrease in sprint period (p≤0.05). Conclusions : It was concluded that static stretching as part of a warm-up may decease short sprint performance, while active dynamic stretching seems to increase 20-m sprint performance.

Latent Effect of Passive Static Stretching on Driver Clubhead Speed, Distance, Accuracy, and Consistent Ball Contact in Young Male Competitive Golfers

This investigation was conducted to determine the effect of 2 different warm-up treatments over time on driver clubhead speed, distance, accuracy, and consistent ball contact in young male competitive golfers. Two supervised warm-up treatments, an active dynamic warm-up with golf clubs (AD) and a 20-minute total body passive static stretching routine plus an identical AD warm-up (PSS), were applied before each performance testing session using a counterbalanced design on nonconsecutive days. Immediately after the AD treatment, subjects were instructed to hit 3 full swing golf shots with their driver with 1-minute rest between trials. Immediately after the PSS treatment, subjects were instructed to hit 3 full-swing golf shots with their driver at t0 and thereafter at t15, t30, t45, and t60 minutes with 1-minute rest between swing trials to determine any latent effects of PSS on golf driver performance measures. Results of paired t-tests revealed significant (p < 0.05) decreases in clubhead speed at t0 (-4.92%), t15 (-2.59%), and t30 (-2.19%) but not at t45 (-0.95) or t60 (-0.99). Significant differences were also observed in distance at t0 (-7.26%), t15 (-5.19%), t30 (-5.47%), t45 (-3.30%), and t60 (-3.53%). Accuracy was significantly impaired at t0 (61.99%), t15 (58.78%), t30 (59.46%), and t45 (61.32%) but not at t60 (36.82%). Finally, consistent ball contact was significantly reduced at t0 (-31.29%), t15 (-31.29%), t30 (-23.56%), t45 (-27.49%), and t60 (-15.70%). Plausible explanations for observed performance decrements include a more compliant muscle-tendon unit (MTU) and an altered neurological state because of the PSS treatment. Further, the findings of this study provide evidence supporting the theory that the mechanical properties of the MTU may recover at a faster rate than any associated neurological changes. The results of this inquiry strongly suggest that a total-body passive static stretching routine should be avoided before practice or competition in favor of a gradual AD. Athletes with poor mechanics because of lack of flexibility should perform these exercises after a conditioning session, practice, or competition.

Acute Effect of Passive Static Stretching on Lower-body Strength in Moderately Trained Males.

Acute Effect of Passive Static Stretching on Lower-body Strength in Moderately Trained Males.

Acute Effects of Passive Static Stretching During Warm-up on Driver Clubhead Speed, Distance, Accuracy, and Consistent Ball Contact in Young Male Competitive Golfers

This investigation was conducted to determine the effect of 2 different warm-up treatments on clubhead speed, distance, accuracy, and consistent ball contact in 15 young male competitive golfers. Two supervised warm-up treatments, an active dynamic warm-up with golf clubs (AD) and a 20-minute total-body passive static stretching routine plus an identical AD warm-up (SS), were applied before each performance testing session using a counterbalanced design on nonconsecutive days. Immediately after each warm-up treatment, subjects were instructed to hit 10 full-swing golf shots with their driver after their normal preshot routine, with 1 minute of rest between trials. Significant (p < 0.05) decreases in clubhead speed (-4.19%), distance (-5.62%), accuracy (-31.04%), and consistent ball contact (-16.34%) were observed. Theoretical explanations for this acute decrease in performance include a more compliant muscle tendon unit, decreased neuromuscular reflex sensitivity, and neural inhibition attributable to the SS treatment. The results of this inquiry strongly suggest that a total-body passive static stretching routine should be avoided before practice or competition in favor of a gradual, active dynamic with golf clubs.

Acute Effects of Passive Static Stretching During Warm-up on Driver Clubhead Speed, Distance, Accuracy, and Consistent Ball Contact in Young Male Competitive Golfers.

Acute Effects of Passive Static Stretching During Warm-up on Driver Clubhead Speed, Distance, Accuracy, and Consistent Ball Contact in Young Male Competitive Golfers.

Stretching One Leg Inhibits Strength Endurance Performance of the Contralateral Unstretched Leg

PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine if passive static stretch of one leg would alter the strength endurance of the contralateral unstretched leg. METHODS: Twenty-six college students performed test-retest right leg knee-flexion muscle strength endurance tests (number of lifts using 25% body weight). The tests were done on four different days, with two tests following no-stretching (RNS), and two following stretching (RST) of the right hamstring. Left leg knee-flexion muscle strength endurance tests were also done before and after stretching the right hamstring. RESULTS: Stretching the right hamstring significantly (p<0.05) decreased the number of lifts done by either the right or left leg. This stretching effect was similar for both test-retest days. Means ± standard deviation are summarized below.TableCONCLUSION: Stretching the right hamstring not only decreases the strength endurance of the stretched right leg, but also decreases the strength endurance of the contralateral unstretched leg.

THE ACUTE EFFECTS OF COMBINED STATIC AND DYNAMIC STRETCH PROTOCOLS ON FIFTY-METER SPRINT PERFORMANCE IN TRACK-AND-FIELD ATHLETES

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of manipulating the static and dynamic stretch components associated with a traditional track-and-field warm-up. Eighteen experienced sprinters were randomly assigned in a repeated-measures, within-subject design study with 3 interventions: active dynamic stretch (ADS), static passive stretch combined with ADS (SADS), and static dynamic stretch combined with ADS (DADS). A standardized 800-m jogged warm-up was performed before each different stretch intervention, followed by two 50-m sprints. Results indicated that the SADS intervention yielded significantly (p ≤ 0.05) slower 50-m sprint times then either the ADS or DADS intervention. The decrease in sprint time observed after the ADS intervention compared to the DADS intervention was found to be nonsignificant (p > 0.05). The decrease in performance post–SADS intervention was attributed to a decrease in the musculotendinous unit (MTU) stiffness, possibly due to a reduction in muscle activation prior to ground contact, leading to a decrease in the MTU's ability to store and transfer elastic energy after the use of passive static stretch techniques. The improved 50-m sprint performance associated with the ADS and DADS interventions was linked to the rehearsal of specific movement patterns, helping proprioception and preactivation, allowing a more optimum switch from eccentric to concentric muscle contraction. It was concluded that passive static stretching in a warm-up decreases sprint performance, despite being combined with dynamic stretches, when compared to a solely dynamic stretch approach.

The Acute Effects of Combined Static and Dynamic Stretch Protocols on Fifty-Meter Sprint Performance in Track-and-Field Athletes

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of manipulating the static and dynamic stretch components associated with a traditional track-and-field warm-up. Eighteen experienced sprinters were randomly assigned in a repeated-measures, within-subject design study with 3 interventions: active dynamic stretch (ADS), static passive stretch combined with ADS (SADS), and static dynamic stretch combined with ADS (DADS). A standardized 800-m jogged warm-up was performed before each different stretch intervention, followed by two 50-m sprints. Results indicated that the SADS intervention yielded significantly (p < or = 0.05) slower 50-m sprint times then either the ADS or DADS intervention. The decrease in sprint time observed after the ADS intervention compared to the DADS intervention was found to be nonsignificant (p > 0.05). The decrease in performance post-SADS intervention was attributed to a decrease in the musculotendinous unit (MTU) stiffness, possibly due to a reduction in muscle activation prior to ground contact, leading to a decrease in the MTU's ability to store and transfer elastic energy after the use of passive static stretch techniques. The improved 50-m sprint performance associated with the ADS and DADS interventions was linked to the rehearsal of specific movement patterns, helping proprioception and preactivation, allowing a more optimum switch from eccentric to concentric muscle contraction. It was concluded that passive static stretching in a warm-up decreases sprint performance, despite being combined with dynamic stretches, when compared to a solely dynamic stretch approach.

Passive Static Stretching Elevates Metabolic Rate

Passive static stretching has been shown to increase heart rate during the time that the stretch is being applied. Since accelerations in heart rate involved increased sympathetic drive, it is possible that passive static stretching can also elevate the metabolic rate. PURPOSE This study was designed to determine if passive static stretching elevated VO2 during the time the stretch was being applied. METHODS VO2 of 15 male and 16 female college students was measured under three different conditions. Condition #1 was quiet sitting for 10 minutes (RT). Condition #2 was 12 minutes of passive active stretching (ST). Condition #3 consisted of the subjects doing 12 minutes of moving through the stretching positions without placing the muscles on stretch (NS). Four different stretches (i.e. seated lotus, seated hamstring, standing half-lotus, standing quadriceps) were used. Each stretch was held for 30 s before the subject moved to a different position, and this circuit was repeated four times. Breath-by-breath VO2 measures were averaged over each experimental period. Heart rate was recorded every 30 s and then averaged. RESULTS Means ± stand. dev. are summarized in the below Table. (* indicates a value significantly greater (p<0.05) than the other values)TableCONCLUSION This data indicates that passive static stretching increases the metabolic rate during the time that the stretch is being applied. Moreover, subjective observation suggested that the magnitude of the increase was in direct relationship with the degree of inherent muscle stiffness.

Passive Static Stretching Elevates Metabolic Rate

Passive Static Stretching Elevates Metabolic Rate

THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT WARM-UP STRETCH PROTOCOLS ON 20 METER SPRINT PERFORMANCE IN TRAINED RUGBY UNION PLAYERS

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different static and dynamic stretch protocols on 20-m sprint performance. The 97 male rugby union players were assigned randomly to 4 groups: passive static stretch (PSS; n = 28), active dynamic stretch (ADS; n = 22), active static stretch (ASST; n = 24), and static dynamic stretch (SDS; n = 23). All groups performed a standard 10-minute jog warm-up, followed by two 20-m sprints. The 20-m sprints were then repeated after subjects had performed different stretch protocols. The PSS and ASST groups had a significant increase in sprint time (p ≤ 0.05), while the ADS group had a significant decrease in sprint time (p ≤ 0.05). The decrease in sprint time, observed in the SDS group, was found to be nonsignificant (p ≥ 0.05). The decrease in performance for the 2 static stretch groups was attributed to an increase in the musculotendinous unit (MTU) compliance, leading to a decrease in the MTU ability to store elastic energy in its eccentric phase. The reason why the ADS group improved performance is less clear, but could be linked to the rehearsal of specific movement patterns, which may help increase coordination of subsequent movement. It was concluded that static stretching as part of a warm-up may decrease short sprint performance, whereas active dynamic stretching seems to increase 20-m sprint performance.

Passive Static Stretching Elevates Heart Rate During Subsequent Moderately High Intensity Cycling

Passive Static Stretching Elevates Heart Rate During Subsequent Moderately High Intensity Cycling

Passive Static Stretching Elevates Heart Rate During Subsequent Moderately High Intensity Cycling

Passive Static Stretching Elevates Heart Rate During Subsequent Moderately High Intensity Cycling

The Effect of Different Warm-Up Stretch Protocols on 20 Meter Sprint Performance in Trained Rugby Union Players

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different static and dynamic stretch protocols on 20-m sprint performance. The 97 male rugby union players were assigned randomly to 4 groups: passive static stretch (PSS; n = 28), active dynamic stretch (ADS; n = 22), active static stretch (ASST; n = 24), and static dynamic stretch (SDS; n = 23). All groups performed a standard 10-minute jog warm-up, followed by two 20-m sprints. The 20-m sprints were then repeated after subjects had performed different stretch protocols. The PSS and ASST groups had a significant increase in sprint time (p < or = 0.05), while the ADS group had a significant decrease in sprint time (p < or = 0.05). The decrease in sprint time, observed in the SDS group, was found to be nonsignificant (p > or = 0.05). The decrease in performance for the 2 static stretch groups was attributed to an increase in the musculotendinous unit (MTU) compliance, leading to a decrease in the MTU ability to store elastic energy in its eccentric phase. The reason why the ADS group improved performance is less clear, but could be linked to the rehearsal of specific movement patterns, which may help increase coordination of subsequent movement. It was concluded that static stretching as part of a warm-up may decrease short sprint performance, whereas active dynamic stretching seems to increase 20-m sprint performance.

Viscoelastic stress relaxation during static stretch in human skeletal muscle in the absence of EMG activity.

The present study sought to investigate the role of EMG activity during passive static stretch. EMG and passive resistance were measured during static stretching of human skeletal muscle in eight neurologically intact control subjects and six spinal cord-injured (SCI) subjects with complete motor loss. Resistance to stretch offered by the hamstring muscles during passive knee extension was defined as passive torque (Nm). The knee was passively extended at 5 degrees/s to a predetermined final position, where it remained stationary for 90 s (static phase) while force and integrated EMG of the hamstring muscle were recorded. EMG was sampled for frequency domain analysis in a second stretch maneuver in five control and three SCI subjects. There was a decline in passive torque in the 90-s static phase for both control and SCI subjects, P < 0.05. Although peak passive torque was greater in control subjects, P < 0.05, there was no difference in time-dependent passive torque response between control (33%) and SCI (38%) subjects. Initial and final 5-s IEMG ranged from 1.8 to 3.4 microV.s and did not change during a stretch or differ between control and SCI subjects. Frequency domain analysis yielded similar results in both groups, with an equal energy distribution in all harmonics, indicative of 'white noise'. The present data demonstrate that no measurable EMG activity was detected in either group during the static stretch maneuver. Therefore, the decline in resistance to static stretch was a viscoelastic stress relaxation response.

Contraction specific changes in passive torque in human skeletal muscle.

The present investigation examined passive torque and electromyographic response in human skeletal muscle during passive static stretch within 60 s after maximal repetitive eccentric and concentric contractions. Passive torque (Nm) offered by the hamstring muscle group was measured during passive knee extension in a modified dynamometer in 10 subjects. The distal thigh was elevated to 0.52 rad from horizontal and the backrest was positioned at 1.57 rad. The lever arm moved the leg passively at 0.09 rad s-1 from a starting position of 1.48 rad below horizontal to the final position where it remained stationary for 90 s. Gross electrical activity of the human hamstring muscle group was recorded simultaneously. The effect of concentric or eccentric contraction was tested on separate days. Two stretch manoeuvres with a 45 min hiatus were administered on a control and experimental side. The experimental side performed 40 maximal effort repetitive concentric or eccentric hamstring muscle contractions at 1.05 rad s-1 prior to the second stretch. Passive torque during the 90 s stretch declined 30-35% on the experimental and control side in all stretches, P < 0.001, without a significant effect of prior contraction mode. Passive peak and final torques were lower on the experimental side, P < 0.01 after concentric contractions. Passive peak and final torques remained unchanged after eccentric contractions on the experimental side. The low level EMG response of the hamstring muscle during the stretch was unchanged after maximal repetitive concentric or eccentric contractions. These data demonstrate acute contraction specific alteration in passive torque in human skeletal muscle, which cannot be accounted for by EMG activity. Furthermore, the lack of difference on the control side implies that one 90 s stretch has no effect on passive torque of the muscle 45 min later.