Effect of a 4-week static stretching program for plantar flexor muscles on physical performance and muscle properties

BACKGROUND: The effects of a long-term static stretching program on physical performance parameters have not been elucidated completely, although the effects on muscle flexibility have a consensus. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of a long-term static stretching program on physical performance and muscle properties. METHODS: Participants performed a 2-min static stretching for the ankle joint 5 times per week for 4 weeks. Physical performance and muscle properties was measured before and after the static stretching program. RESULTS: Results showed that range of motion (ROM), dynamic postural stability, and muscle hardness were positively changed, whereas other variables i.e. maximal isometric plantar flexion moment, jump heights, muscle-tendon junction displacement and its angle, were not. CONCLUSIONS: Four-week of SS program may improve ROM, dynamic postural stability, and muscle hardness without decreasing physical performance.

Comparison Between High- and Low-Intensity Static Stretching Training Program on Active and Passive Properties of Plantar Flexors

The purpose of this study was to compare two static stretching (SS) training programs at high-intensity (HI-SS) and low-intensity (LI-SS) on passive and active properties of the plantar flexor muscles. Forty healthy young men were randomly allocated into three groups: HI-SS intervention group (n = 14), LI-SS intervention group (n = 13), and non-intervention control group (n = 13). An 11-point numerical scale (0–10; none to very painful stretching) was used to determine SS intensity. HI-SS and LI-SS stretched at 6–7 and 0–1 intensities, respectively, both in 3 sets of 60 s, 3×/week, for 4 weeks. Dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), gastrocnemius muscle stiffness, muscle strength, drop jump height, and muscle architecture were assessed before and after SS training program. The HI-SS group improved more than LI-SS in ROM (40 vs. 15%) and decreased muscle stiffness (−57 vs. −24%), while no significant change was observed for muscle strength, drop jump height, and muscle architecture in both groups. The control group presented no significant change in any variable. Performing HI-SS is more effective than LI-SS for increasing ROM and decreasing muscle stiffness of plantar flexor muscles following a 4-week training period in young men. However, SS may not increase muscle strength or hypertrophy, regardless of the stretching discomfort intensity.

Effects Of Remote Myofascial Release Of Sub-Occipital Region In Asymptomatic Individuals With Hamstrings Tightness

The purpose of this study was to research the effect of performing Remote myofascial release of sub occipital region in asymptomatic individual with hamstring tightness. Keeping these muscles loose is important. If muscles have tightened up then muscles are working at less than 100 % of capacity and performance will be down as a result. Objective: The objective of this study was to find out the effect of performing Remote myofascial release of sub occipital region in asymptomatic individual with hamstring tightness. Methods: The study was a Quasi experimental trial and was conducted in Physiotherapy center for arthritis. 64participant in this research & divided into 2 Groups. (Group A was treated with static Stretching exercises of hamstrings and Group B was treated with remote Myofascial release of sub occipital region and static Stretching exercises). For analysis we were used Knee Extension angle and Sit to reach test at baseline and after 2 weeks of treatment in both groups. Data analysis was done by SPSS. Results: p value of within the group comparison for knee extension angle and Sit to reach test score was significant i.e. <0.001.Mayofascial Release of sub occipital region and static stretch give us best result.IN group A Pre-treatment knee extension angle was 14.68 & post treatment 10.87 with mean difference 3.81 P <0.01.In Group B pre-treatment knee extension angle 14.78.& post-treatment knee extension angle 13.75 with mean difference 11.03 & p<0.001 which concludes that remote myofascial release of sub-occipital region improve the flexibility of hamstring tightness. Conclusion: The current study concludes that myofascial release of sub occipital region along with static stretching and static stretching alone, both are effective in improving flexibility in patients with hamstring tightness. However, myofascial release of sub occipital region along with static stretching is more effective than static stretching alone.

Enhanced Corticospinal Excitability in the Tibialis Anterior During Static Stretching of the Soleus in Young Healthy Individuals

Corticospinal excitability is known to be affected by afferent inflow arising from the proprioceptors during active or passive muscle movements. Also during static stretching (SS) afferent activity is enhanced, but its effect on corticospinal excitability received limited attention and has only been investigated as a single average value spread over the entire stretching period. Using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) the present study was conducted to explore the time course of corticospinal excitability during 30 seconds SS.Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) after TMS were recorded from soleus (SOL) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles in 14 participants during: a passive dynamic ankle dorsiflexion (DF), at six different time points during maximal individual SS (3, 6, 9, 18, 21 and 25 seconds into stretching), during a passive dynamic ankle plantar flexion (PF) and following SS.During passive DF, MEPs amplitude was greater than baseline in both TA and SOL (p=.001 and p=.005 respectively). During SS, MEPs amplitude was greater than baseline in TA (p=.006), but not in SOL. No differences between the investigated time points were found and no trend was detected throughout the stretching time. No effect in either muscle was observed during passive PF and after SS.These results could suggest that an increased activity of secondary afferents from SOL muscle spindles exert a corticomotor facilitation on TA. The muscle-unspecific response observed during passive DF could instead be attributed to an increased activation within the sensorimotor cortical areas as a result of the awareness of the foot passive displacements.

Comparison of Post Isometric Relaxation of Gluteus Maximus and Static Stretching of Hip Flexors on Pain and Functional Status in Patients with Anterior Innominate Dysfunction

Objective: To compare the effects of Post Isometric Relaxation (PIR) of gluteus maximus and Static Stretching (SS) of hip flexors on pain and functional status in patients with Anterior Innominate Dysfunction. Methodology: A quasi experimental trial was conducted on thirty six patients of Anterior Innominate Dysfunction. All were randomly allocated to post isometric relaxation group and static stretching group. Both groups were treated with 12 treatment sessions in 4 weeks at frequency of 3 sessions per week. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Modified Oswestry Disability Index (MODI) were used to measure the treatment effect at baseline, after 2 weeks and after 4 weeks. Data was analyzed by SPSS 21. Results: Mean Age of Group A (PIR) was 34.28±7.76 and Group B (SS) was 35.72±7.16. Mean BMI of participants was 23.84±3.29. Across group, both post isometric relaxation and static stretching had shown significant results with P value <0.05. But within group, post isometric relaxation had shown more significant results as compared to static stretching with P value <0.05. Conclusion: Both treatment techniques; Post isometric relaxation and Static stretching are effective and produced significant difference in NPRS and MODI score to improve pain and functional status but PIR had shown more promising results in patients with anterior innominate dysfunction. Key words: Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction (SIJD), Muscle Energy Technique (MET), MODI (Modified Oswestry Disability Index).

Acute effects of the different relaxation periods during passive intermittent static stretching on arterial stiffness

To clarify whether the relaxation period during stretching affects the degree of elevated shear rate and the degree of reduction of arterial stiffness, we examined relaxation duration to build an adequate stretching protocol. In Experiment 1, the changes in cardiac output, the shear rate in the posterior tibial artery, and blood volume in the calf muscle were measured during recovery (0–60 s) from a single bout of one-legged passive calf stretching in 12 healthy young men. In Experiment 2, the effects of different relaxation periods (5-, 10-, 20-, and 60-s) of passive one-legged intermittent calf stretching (30-s × 6 sets) on the femoral-ankle pulse wave velocity (faPWV) as an index of peripheral arterial stiffness were identified in 17 healthy young men. As a result, the stretched leg’s shear rate significantly increased from 0 to 10th s after stretching. The muscle blood volume in the stretched leg significantly reduced during stretching, and then significantly increased during the recovery period after stretching; however, cardiac output remained unchanged during stretching and recovery. Additionally, the reduction in faPWV from the pre-stretching value in the stretched leg was significantly larger in the protocol with 10-s and 20-s relaxation periods than that in the non-stretched leg, but this did not differ in the 5-s and 60-s relaxation periods. These findings suggest that the relaxation periods of intermittent static stretching that cause a high transient increase in shear rate (via reperfusion after microvascular compression by the stretched calf muscles) are effective to reduce arterial stiffness.

Association between static stretching load and changes in the flexibility of the hamstrings

The purpose of the present study was to examine the association between static stretching load and changes in the flexibility of the hamstrings. Twelve healthy men received static stretching for 60 s at two different intensities based on the point of discomfort (100%POD and 120%POD intensity), in random order. To assess the flexibility of the hamstrings, the knee extension range of motion (ROM). Passive torque at end ROM, and muscle–tendon unit stiffness were measured before and after stretching. The static stretching load was calculated from the passive torque throughout static stretching. The knee extension ROM and passive torque at end ROM increased in both intensities (p < 0.01). The muscle–tendon unit stiffness decreased only in the 120%POD (p < 0.01). There were significant correlations between the static stretching load and the relative changes in the knee extension ROM (r = 0.56, p < 0.01) and muscle–tendon unit stiffness (r = − 0.76, p < 0.01). The results suggested that the static stretching load had significant effects on changes in the knee extension ROM and muscle–tendon unit stiffness of the hamstrings, and high-intensity static stretching was useful for improving the flexibility of the hamstrings because of its high static stretching load.