Changes in Passive Tension of the Hamstring Muscles During a Simulated Soccer Match

Purpose:Passive muscle tension is increased after damaging eccentric exercise. Hamstring-strain injury is associated with damaging eccentric muscle actions, but no research has examined changes in hamstring passive muscle tension throughout a simulated sport activity. The authors measured hamstring passive tension throughout a 90-min simulated soccer match (SAFT90), including the warm-up period and every 15 min throughout the 90-min simulation.Methods:Passive hamstring tension of 15 amateur male soccer players was measured using the instrumented straight-leg-raise test. Absolute torque (Nm) and slope (Nm/°) of the recorded torque-angular position curve were used for data analysis, in addition to total leg range of motion (ROM). Players performed a 15-min prematch warm-up, then performed the SAFT90 including a 15-min halftime rest period.Results:Reductions in passive stiffness of 20–50° of passive hip flexion of 22.1−29.2% (P < .05) were observed after the warm-up period. During the SAFT90, passive tension increased in the latter 20% of the range of motion of 10.1−10.9% (P < .05) concomitant to a 4.5% increase in total hamstring ROM (P = .0009).Conclusions:The findings of this study imply that hamstring passive tension is reduced after an active warm-up that includes dynamic stretching but does not increase in a pattern suggestive of eccentric induced muscle damage during soccer-specific intermittent exercise. Hamstring ROM and passive tension increases are best explained by improved stretch tolerance.

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Aerobic activity before and following short-duration static stretching improves range of motion and performance vs. a traditional warm-up

Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1139/h10-062 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 35 (5) ◽

pp. 679-690 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Justin R. Murphy ◽

Mario C. Di Santo ◽

Thamir Alkanani ◽

David G. Behm

Keyword(s):

Range Of Motion ◽

Short Duration ◽

Movement Time ◽

Muscle Tension ◽

Emg Activity ◽

Static Stretching ◽

Warm Up ◽

Aerobic Activity ◽

Before And After ◽

And Performance

Many activities necessitate a high degree of static joint range of motion (ROM) for an extended duration. The objective of this study was to examine whether ROM could be improved with a short duration and volume of static stretching within a warm-up, without negatively impacting performance. Ten male recreationally active participants completed 2 separate protocols to examine changes in ROM and performance, respectively, with different warm-ups. The warm-up conditions for the ROM protocol were static stretching (SS), consisting of 6 repetitions of 6 s stretches; 10 min of running prior to the SS (AS); and 5 min of running before and after the SS (ASA). The performance protocol included a control condition of 10 min of running. Measures for the ROM protocol included hip flexion ROM, passive leg extensor tension, and hamstring electromyographic (EMG) activity at pre-warm-up, and at 1, 10, 20, and 30 min post-warm-up. Performance measures included countermovement jump (CMJ) height, reaction time (RT), movement time (MT), and balance at pre-warm-up and at 1 and 10 min post-warm-up. The ASA produced greater ROM overall than the SS and AS conditions (p < 0.0001), persisting for 30 min. There were no significant alterations in passive muscle tension or EMG. For the performance protocol, there were no main effects for condition, but there was a main effect for time, with CMJ height being greater at 1 and 10 min post-warm-up (p = 0.0004). Balance ratios and MT improved at 10 min post-warm-up (p < 0.0001). Results indicate that the ASA method can provide ROM improvements for 30 min with either facilitation or no impairment in performance. This may be especially important for athletes who substitute later into a game with minimal time for a full warm-up.

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The Influence of Wrist Position on the Minimum Force Required For Active Movement of the Interphalangeal Joints

Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume) ◽

10.1016/0266-7681_88_90082-4 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 262-268

Author(s):

R. SAVAGE

Keyword(s):

Flexor Tendon ◽

Muscle Tension ◽

Tendon Repair ◽

Active Movement ◽

Finger Movement ◽

Passive Tension ◽

Active Tension ◽

Flexor Tendon Repair ◽

Passive Muscle ◽

Minimum Force

Active and passive muscle tension is discussed in relation to finger flexor and extensor tendons. Minimising active tension required to produce finger movement is seen as an important part of post-operative finger mobilisation following flexor tendon repair in which active movement is used. It is argued that “minimal active tension” in the flexors is equal to, or just exceeds, the passive tension in the extensors. A method of measuring passive tension in finger tendons has been described. In 24 volunteers, it has been used to determine that if the metacarpo-phalangeal joints are held flexed, there is least “minimal active tension” in the flexor tendons when the wrist is splinted in extension.

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Passive muscle tension augments the anterior cruciate ligament: An in vivo study in the rat

Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica ◽

10.3109/17453679409000909 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 65 (5) ◽

pp. 538-540 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ame Kristian Aune ◽

Lars Nordsletten ◽

Arne Ekeland

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Muscle Tension ◽

In Vivo Study ◽

Anterior Cruciate ◽

Passive Muscle

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Is it time to move from mandatory stretching? We need to differentiate “Can I” from “Do I Have To?”

10.31222/osf.io/wq7m8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

José Afonso ◽

Jesús Olivares-Jabalera ◽

Renato Andrade

Keyword(s):

Range Of Motion ◽

Injury Risk ◽

Warm Up ◽

Alternative Interventions ◽

Passive Stretching ◽

Effective Interventions ◽

Potential Applications ◽

The Times ◽

The Many

The effects and usefulness of active and passive static stretching have raised heated debates. Over the years, the pendulum has swung from a glorified vision to their vilification. As most of the times, the truth often lies somewhere in-between. But even if there was no controversy surrounding the effects of static and passive stretching (which there is), and even if their effects were homogeneously positive (which they are not), that would not be sufficient to make stretching mandatory for practicing physical exercise, for most populations. Amidst the many discussions, an important issue has remained underexplored: the prerequisites to answer the question “Can I?” are not sufficient to answer the question “Do I have to?”, especially when alternative interventions are available. In this current opinion paper, we address four potential applications of stretching: (i) warm-up; (ii) cool-down; (iii) range of motion; and (iv) injury risk. We argue that while stretching can be used in the warm-up and cool-down phases of the training, its inclusion is not mandatory, and its effectiveness is still questionable. Stretching can be used to improve range of motion, but alternative and effective interventions are available. The role of stretching in injury risk is also controversial, and the literature often misinterprets association with causation and assumes that stretching is the only intervention to improve flexibility and range of motion. Overall, the answer to the question “Can I stretch?” is “yes”. But the answer to the question “Do I have to?” is “no, not really”.

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Acute Effect of Mini-Trampoline Jumping on Vertical Jump and Balance Performance

International Journal of Kinesiology and Sports Science ◽

10.7575/aiac.ijkss.v.7n.2p.1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

Nada Rhouni ◽

Nicole C. Dabbs ◽

Trevor Gillum ◽

Jared W. Coburn

Keyword(s):

Significant Interaction ◽

Peak Power ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Vertical Jump ◽

Rest Period ◽

Acute Effect ◽

Control Group ◽

Balance Performance ◽

Jump Performance ◽

Warm Up

Jumping and balance are necessary skills for most athletes, and mini-trampoline training has been shown to improve them. Little is known about the acute effect of mini-trampoline jumping on jump performance and dynamic balance. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of 6 maximal jumps on a mini-trampoline on countermovement vertical jump (CMVJ) variables and on balance parameters. Methods: Twenty one recreationally trained individuals participated in three testing sessions and were either allocated to a control group (N=10) or a trampoline group (N=11). All the participants performed a dynamic warm up prior to their assessments. Baseline CMVJ and balance assessments were measured. For the jump performance tests, the control group rested for 30s, and the trampoline group performed 6 maximal CMVJs on a mini-trampoline. Immediately following the trampoline jumps or the rest period, participants performed three jump trials. The jumping protocol was repeated every minute up to 5 minutes and balance was reassessed immediately after only. Results: There was no significant interaction of time by group and no group effects in all the jumping parameters, however, there was a significant increase in jump height (p <0.001) post-condition, and a significant decrease in peak power (p= 0.01) at the 4th minute for both groups. There was no significant interaction of time by condition, no time effect and no group effect (p>0.05) on the balance variables. Conclusion: These results do not support our hypothesis and show that trampoline jumping does not improve jump and balance performance acutely.

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Post-Exercise Whole Body Cryotherapy (−140 °C) Increases Energy Intake in Athletes

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu10070893 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 893

Author(s):

Chihiro Kojima ◽

Nobukazu Kasai ◽

Chika Kondo ◽

Kumiko Ebi ◽

Kazushige Goto

Keyword(s):

Energy Intake ◽

Intermittent Exercise ◽

Rest Period ◽

Whole Body ◽

Strenuous Exercise ◽

Acylated Ghrelin ◽

Meal Test ◽

Male Athletes ◽

Post Exercise ◽

Whole Body Cryotherapy

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) treatment after exercise on appetite regulation and energy intake. METHODS: Twelve male athletes participated in two trials on different days. In both trials, participants performed high-intensity intermittent exercise. After 10 min following the completion of the exercise, they were exposed to a 3-min WBC treatment (−140 °C, WBC trial) or underwent a rest period (CON trial). Blood samples were collected to assess plasma acylated ghrelin, serum leptin, and other metabolic hormone concentrations. Respiratory gas parameters, skin temperature, and ratings of subjective variables were also measured after exercise. At 30 min post-exercise, energy and macronutrient intake were evaluated during an ad libitum buffet meal test. RESULTS: Although appetite-regulating hormones (acylated ghrelin and leptin) significantly changed with exercise (p = 0.047 for acylated ghrelin and p < 0.001 for leptin), no significant differences were observed between the trials. Energy intake during the buffet meal test was significantly higher in the WBC trial (1371 ± 481 kcal) than the CON trial (1106 ± 452 kcal, p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Cold exposure using WBC following strenuous exercise increased energy intake in male athletes.

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A Biomechanical Comparison of the Fastball and Curveball in Adolescent Baseball Pitchers

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/0363546509333264 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 37 (8) ◽

pp. 1492-1498 ◽

Cited By ~ 96

Author(s):

Carl W. Nissen ◽

Melany Westwell ◽

Sylvia Õunpuu ◽

Mausam Patel ◽

Matthew Solomito ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Range Of Motion ◽

Kinetic Data ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Warm Up ◽

Risk Of Injury ◽

Bony Landmarks ◽

Elbow Injuries ◽

Baseball Pitchers ◽

The Difference ◽

Biomechanical Comparison

Background The incidence of shoulder and elbow injuries in adolescent baseball players is rapidly increasing. One leading theory about this increase is that breaking pitches (such as the curveball) place increased moments on the dominant arm and thereby increase the risk of injury. Hypothesis There is no difference in the moments at the shoulder and elbow between fastball and curveball pitches in adolescent baseball pitchers. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Thirty-three adolescent baseball pitchers with a minimum of 2 years of pitching experience underwent 3-dimensional motion analysis using reflective markers aligned to bony landmarks. After a warm-up, pitchers threw either a fastball or curveball, randomly assigned, from a portable pitching mound until 3 appropriate trials were collected for each pitch technique. Kinematic and kinetic data for the upper extremities, lower extremities, thorax, and pelvis were collected and computed for both pitch types. Statistical analysis included both the paired sample t test and mixed model regression. Results There were lower moments on the shoulder and elbow when throwing a curveball versus when throwing a fastball. As expected, speed for the 2 pitches differed: fastball, 65.8 ± 4.8 mph; and curveball, 57.7 ± 6.2 mph (P <. 001). Maximal glenohumeral internal rotation moment for the fastball was significantly higher than for the curveball (59.8 ± 16.5 N·m vs 53.9 ± 15.5 N·m; P <. 0001). Similarly, the maximum varus elbow moment for the fastball was significantly higher than for the curveball (59.6 ± 16.3 N·m vs 54.1 ± 16.1 N·m; P <. 001). The wrist flexor moment was greater in the fastball, 8.3 ± 3.6 N·m, than in the curveball, 7.8 ± 3.6 N·m (P <. 001), but the wrist ulnar moment was greater in the curveball, 4.9 ± 2.0 N·m, than in the fastball, 3.2 ± 1.5 N·m (P <. 001). Relatively minor motion differences were noted at the shoulder and elbow throughout the pitching motion, while significant differences were seen in forearm and wrist motion. The forearm remained more supinated at each point in the pitching cycle for the curveball but had less overall range of motion (62° ± 20°) than with the fastball (69° ± 17°) (P <. 001), and the difference in the forearm pronation and supination moment between the pitches was not significant (P =. 104 for pronation and P =. 447 for supination). The wrist remained in greater extension during the fastball from foot contact through ball release but did not have significantly different total sagittal range of motion (53° ± 11°) when compared with the curveball (54° ± 15°) (P =. 91). Conclusion In general, the moments on the shoulder and elbow were less when throwing a curveball than when throwing a fastball. In each comparison, the fastball demonstrated higher moments for each individual pitcher for both joints. Clinical Relevance The findings based on the kinematic and kinetic data in this study suggest that the rising incidence of shoulder and elbow injuries in pitchers may not be caused by the curveball mechanics. Further evaluation of adolescent and adult baseball pitchers is warranted to help determine and subsequently reduce the risk of injury.

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