The effects of using a combination of static stretching and aerobic exercise on muscle tendon unit stiffness and strength in ankle plantar-flexor muscles

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Kosuke Takeuchi ◽  
Masahiro Takemura ◽  
Masatoshi Nakamura ◽  
Fumiko Tsukuda ◽  
Shumpei Miyakawa
Keyword(s):  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Plantar Flexor ◽  
Static Stretching ◽  
Flexor Muscles ◽  
Plantar Flexor Muscles

scholarly journals Influence of Aerobic Exercise After Static Stretching on Flexibility and Strength in Plantar Flexor Muscles

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kosuke Takeuchi ◽  
Masatoshi Nakamura
Keyword(s):  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Peak Torque ◽  
Plantar Flexor ◽  
Static Stretching ◽  
Control Range ◽  
Passive Torque ◽  
Flexor Muscles ◽  
Plantar Flexor Muscles ◽  
Displacement Peak ◽  
Healthy Males

Aerobic exercise could improve stretch-induced strength deficits. However, mechanisms of the improvement were unclear. The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of aerobic exercise after static stretching (SS) on flexibility and isometric strength in ankle plantar-flexor muscles. Fifteen healthy males received two interventions after SS of their ankle plantar-flexor muscles for 5 min. One was aerobic exercise for 10-min on a cycling ergometer, and the other was a 10-min rest as a control. Range of motion (ROM) of ankle dorsiflexion, passive torque at terminal ROM, muscle-tendon unit (MTU) stiffness, muscle tendon junction displacement, peak torque of ankle plantarflexion, and the amplitude of electromyography (EMG) were measured. Immediately after the SS, in both interventions, ROM, passive torque, and muscle tendon junction displacement increased significantly (p < 0.05), while MTU stiffness, peak torque, and the amplitude of EMG were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). After 10-min on a cycling ergometer, the decreased peak torque and amplitude of EMG indicated higher values than those before SS (p < 0.05), while MTU stiffness was no change. In conclusion, SS increased ROM because of the decreased MTU stiffness as well as increased tolerance for stretching. Aerobic exercise could increase the muscle strength and amplitude of EMG which decreased after static stretching.

scholarly journals Effect of Superficial Heat, Deep Heat, and Active Exercise Warm-up on the Extensibility of the Plantar Flexors

2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (6) ◽  
pp. 1206-1214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia A Knight ◽  
Carrie R Rutledge ◽  
Michael E Cox ◽  
Martha Acosta ◽  
Susan J Hall
Keyword(s):  
Plantar Flexor ◽  
Static Stretching ◽  
Warm Up ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
Flexor Muscles ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 5 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Plantar Flexor Muscles ◽  
Group 1

Abstract Background and Purpose. Warm-up prior to static stretching enhances muscle extensibility. The relative effectiveness of different modes of warm-up, however, is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of superficial heat, deep heat, and active exercise warm-up prior to stretching compared with stretching alone on the extensibility of the plantar-flexor muscles. Subjects. Ninety-seven subjects (59 women, 38 men) with limited dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 groups. Female subjects had a mean age of 27.6 years (SD=7.68, range=17–50), and male subjects had a mean age of 26.8 years (SD=6.87, range=18–48). Methods. The first group (group 1) was a control group and did not perform the stretching protocol. The 4 experimental groups (groups 2–5) performed a stretching protocol 3 days per week for 6 weeks. Group 2 performed the static stretching protocol only; group 3 performed active heel raises before stretching; group 4 received 15 minutes of superficial, moist heat to the plantar-flexor muscles before stretching; and group 5 received continuous ultrasound for 7 minutes before stretching. Dorsiflexion ROM measurements were taken initially and after 2, 4, and 6 weeks. Results. All experimental groups increased active and passive range of motion (AROM and PROM). The mean AROM/PROM differences at 6 weeks were 1.11/1.39 degrees for group 1, 4.10/6.11 degrees for group 2, 4.16/4.21 degrees for group 3, 4.38/4.90 degrees for group 4, and 6.20/7.35 degrees for group 5. The group receiving ultrasound before performing the stretching protocol (group 5) displayed the greatest increase in both AROM (6.20°) and PROM (7.35°). Discussion and Conclusion. Among the modalities tested, the use of ultrasound for 7 minutes prior to stretching may be the most effective for increasing ankle dorsiflexion ROM.

scholarly journals Stretching combined with repetitive small length changes of the plantar flexor muscles enhances their passive extensibility for longer duration than conventional static stretching, while not compromising strength

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoki Ikeda ◽  
Takayuki Inami ◽  
Yasuo Kawakami
Keyword(s):  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Plantar Flexion ◽  
Plantar Flexor ◽  
Static Stretching ◽  
Small Length ◽  
Local Vibration ◽  
Flexor Muscles ◽  
Length Changes ◽  
Flexion Strength ◽  
Plantar Flexor Muscles

AbstractStatic stretching increases flexibility but can decrease muscle strength, and the method to avoid the latter has been longed for. In this study, a novel stretching modality was developed that provides repetitive small length changes to the plantar flexor muscles undergoing passive static stretching (“local vibration stretching,”). We investigated the effects of local vibration stretching on muscle strength, flexibility and its persistence. Plantar flexion strength and maximal ankle joint dorsiflexion angle (dorsiflexion range of motion) were measured for 10 healthy young males before (pre) and immediately after (post) three types of stretching: static stretching, local vibration stretching at 15 Hz, and no intervention (control). The dorsiflexion range of motion was measured also at 15, 30, and 60 min post-stretching. Elongation of the medial gastrocnemius and Achilles tendon was determined by ultrasonography. Plantar flexion strength significantly decreased by 4.3 ± 3.5 % in static stretching but not in local vibration stretching. The dorsiflexion range of motion significantly increased both in static stretching (7.2 ± 8.1 %) and local vibration stretching (11.2 ± 14.6 %) which was accompanied by a significantly larger muscle elongation but not tendon elongation. Elevated dorsiflexion range of motion was maintained until 30 min after the local vibration stretching while it returned to baseline level (pre-intervention) in 15 min after the static stretching. All variables remained unchanged in the control condition. In conclusion, local vibration stretching improves extensibility of the muscle belly without decreasing strength, and the increased flexibility is retained longer than static stretching.

scholarly journals Baseline muscle tendon unit stiffness does not affect static stretching of the ankle plantar flexor muscles

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 1377-1380
Author(s):  
Kosuke Takeuchi ◽  
Masahiro Takemura ◽  
Toshihiko Shimono ◽  
Shumpei Miyakawa
Keyword(s):  
Plantar Flexor ◽  
Static Stretching ◽  
Flexor Muscles ◽  
Plantar Flexor Muscles

scholarly journals Transient Increase in Cortical Excitability Following Static Stretching of Plantar Flexor Muscles

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Budini ◽  
Monica Christova ◽  
Eugen Gallasch ◽  
Paul Kressnik ◽  
Dietmar Rafolt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cortical Excitability ◽  
Transient Increase ◽  
Plantar Flexor ◽  
Static Stretching ◽  
Flexor Muscles ◽  
Plantar Flexor Muscles

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

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masatoshi Nakamura ◽  
Riku Yoshida ◽  
Shigeru Sato ◽  
Kaoru Yahata ◽  
Yuta Murakami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Muscle Stiffness ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Plantar Flexor ◽  
Static Stretching ◽  
Drop Jump ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Flexor Muscles ◽  
Plantar Flexor Muscles

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.

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