scholarly journals Acute Effects of Stretching on Passive Properties of Human Gastrocnemius Muscle–Tendon Unit: Analysis of Differences Between Hold-Relax and Static Stretching

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 286-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masatoshi Nakamura ◽  
Tome Ikezoe ◽  
Takahiro Tokugawa ◽  
Noriaki Ichihashi
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Gastrocnemius Muscle ◽  
Muscle Stiffness ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Percentage Change ◽  
Static Stretching ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
Passive Torque ◽  
History Of

Context:Hold–relax stretching (HRS) and static stretching (SS) are commonly used to increase joint range of motion (ROM) and decrease muscle stiffness. However, whether there are differences between acute effects of HRS and SS on end ROM, passive torque, and muscle stiffness is unclear. In addition, any differences between the mechanisms by which HRS and SS lead to an increase in end ROM are unclear.Objective:To compare the acute effects of HRS and SS on the passive properties of the gastrocnemius muscle–tendon unit (MTU), end ROM, passive torque, and muscle stiffness in vivo and to investigate the factors involved in increasing end ROM.Design:Crossover experimental design.Participants:30 healthy men (21.7 ± 1.2 y) with no history of neuromuscular disease or musculoskeletal injury involving the lower limbs.Intervention:Both HRS and SS of 30 s were repeated 4 times, lasting a total of 2 min.Main Outcome Measures:End ROM, passive torque, and muscle stiffness were measured during passive ankle dorsiflexion using a dynamometer and ultrasonography before and immediately after HRS and SS.Results:The results showed that end ROM and passive torque at end ROM significantly increased immediately after both HRS and SS, whereas muscle stiffness significantly decreased. In addition, the percentage change in passive torque at end ROM on use of the HRS technique was significantly higher than that after use of the SS technique. However, the percentage change in muscle stiffness after SS was significantly higher than that with HRS.Conclusion:These results suggest that both HRS and SS can effectively decrease muscle stiffness of the gastrocnemius MTU and that HRS induces a change in the passive torque at end ROM—ie, sensory perception—rather than changing muscle stiffness.

scholarly journals Training and Detraining Effects Following a Static Stretching Program on Medial Gastrocnemius Passive Properties

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masatoshi Nakamura ◽  
Kaoru Yahata ◽  
Shigeru Sato ◽  
Ryosuke Kiyono ◽  
Riku Yoshida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intervention Program ◽  
Gastrocnemius Muscle ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Muscle Stiffness ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Exercise Session ◽  
Static Stretching ◽  
Passive Torque ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle

A stretching intervention program is performed to maintain and improve range of motion (ROM) in sports and rehabilitation settings. However, there is no consensus on the effects of stretching programs on muscle stiffness, likely due to short stretching durations used in each session. Therefore, a longer stretching exercise session may be required to decrease muscle stiffness in the long-term. Moreover, until now, the retention effect (detraining) of such an intervention program is not clear yet. The purpose of this study was to investigate the training (5-week) and detraining effects (5-week) of a high-volume stretching intervention on ankle dorsiflexion ROM (DF ROM) and medial gastrocnemius muscle stiffness. Fifteen males participated in this study and the plantarflexors of the dominant limb were evaluated. Static stretching intervention was performed using a stretching board for 1,800 s at 2 days per week for 5 weeks. DF ROM was assessed, and muscle stiffness was calculated from passive torque and muscle elongation during passive dorsiflexion test. The results showed significant changes in DF ROM and muscle stiffness after the stretching intervention program, but the values returned to baseline after the detraining period. Our results indicate that high-volume stretching intervention (3,600 s per week) may be beneficial for DF ROM and muscle stiffness, but the training effects are dismissed after a detraining period with the same duration of the intervention.

scholarly journals Changes in Passive Properties of the Gastrocnemius Muscle–Tendon Unit During a 4-Week Routine Static-Stretching Program

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 263-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masatoshi Nakamura ◽  
Tome Ikezoe ◽  
Hiroki Umegaki ◽  
Takuya Kobayashi ◽  
Satoru Nishishita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Ankle Dorsiflexion ◽  
Muscle Stiffness ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Static Stretching ◽  
Warm Up ◽  
Passive Torque ◽  
Joint Range

Context:Static stretching (SS) is commonly performed in a warm-up routine to increase joint range of motion (ROM) and to decrease muscle stiffness. However, the time course of changes in ankle-dorsiflexion (DF) ROM and muscle stiffness during a routine SS program is unclear.Objective:To investigate changes in ankle-DF ROM, passive torque at DF ROM, and muscle stiffness during a routine SS program performed 3 times weekly for 4 wk.Design:A quasi-randomized controlled-trial design.Participants:The subjects comprised 24 male volunteers (age 23.8 ± 2.3 y, height 172.0 ± 4.3 cm, body mass 63.1 ± 4.5 kg) randomly assigned to either a group performing a 4-wk stretching program (SS group) or a control group.Main Outcome Measures:DF ROM, passive torque, and muscle stiffness were measured during passive ankle dorsiflexion in both groups using a dynamometer and ultrasonography once weekly during the 4-wk intervention period.Results:In the SS group, DF ROM and passive torque at DF ROM significantly increased after 2, 3, and 4 wk compared with the initial measurements. Muscle stiffness also decreased significantly after 3 and 4 wk in the SS group. However, there were no significant changes in the control group.Conclusions:Based on these results, the SS program effectively increased DF ROM and decreased muscle stiffness. Furthermore, an SS program of more than 2 wk duration effectively increased DF ROM and changed the stretch tolerance, and an SS program more than 3 wk in duration effectively decreased muscle stiffness.

Effect of Rest Duration Between Static Stretching on Passive Stiffness of Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle In Vivo

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 578-582
Author(s):  
Masatoshi Nakamura ◽  
Shigeru Sato ◽  
Ryosuke Kiyono ◽  
Nobushige Takahashi ◽  
Tomoichi Yoshida
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Modulus ◽  
Shear Wave ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Shear Wave Elastography ◽  
Muscle Stiffness ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Static Stretching ◽  
Shear Elastic Modulus ◽  
Before And After

Context: In clinical and sports settings, static stretching (SS) is usually performed to increase range of motion (ROM) and decrease passive muscle stiffness. Recently, the shear elastic modulus was measured by ultrasonic shear wave elastography as an index of muscle stiffness. Previous studies reported that the shear elastic modulus measured by ultrasound shear wave elastography decreased after SS, and the effects of SS on shear elastic modulus were likely affected by rest duration between sets of SS. Objective: To investigate the acute effects of SS with different rest durations on ROM and shear elastic modulus of gastrocnemius and to clarify whether the rest duration between sets of SS decreases the shear elastic modulus. Design: A randomized, repeated-measures experimental design. Setting: University laboratory. Participants: Sixteen healthy males volunteered to participate in the study (age 21.3 [0.8] y; height 171.8 [5.1] cm; weight 63.1 [4.5] kg). Main Outcome Measures: Each participant underwent 3 different rest interval durations during SS (ie, long rest duration: 90 s; normal rest duration: 30 s; and short rest duration: 10 s). This SS technique was repeated 10 times, thus lasting a total of 300 seconds with different rest durations in each protocol. The dorsiflexion ROM and shear elastic modulus were measured before and after SS. Results: Our results revealed that dorsiflexion ROM and shear elastic modulus were changed after 300-second SS; however, no effects of the rest duration between sets of SS were observed. Conclusions: In terms of decreasing the shear elastic modulus, clinicians and coaches should not focus on the rest duration when SS intervention is performed.

Acute Effects of Posture Shirts on Rounded-Shoulder and Forward-Head Posture in College Students

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 309-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Manor ◽  
Elizabeth Hibberd ◽  
Meredith Petschauer ◽  
Joseph Myers
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Shoulder Pain ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Student Body ◽  
Forward Head Posture ◽  
Head Posture ◽  
History Of

Context:Rounded-shoulder and forward-head posture can be contributing factors to shoulder pain. Corrective techniques such as manual therapy and exercise have been shown to improve these altered postures, but there is little evidence that corrective garments such as posture shirts can alter posture.Objectives:To determine the acute effects of corrective postureshirt use on rounded-shoulder and forward-head posture in asymptomatic college students.Design:Repeated-measures intervention study with counterbalanced conditions.Setting:Research laboratory.Participants:24 members of the general student body of a university, 18–25 y old, with a forward shoulder angle (FSA) >52° and no history of upper-extremity surgery, scoliosis, active shoulder pain, or shoulder pain in the previous 3 mo that restricted participation for 3 consecutive days.Interventions:Photographic posture assessment under a control condition, under a sham or treatment condition (counterbalanced), under another control condition, and treatment or sham.Main Outcome Measures:FSA and forward head angle (FHA) calculated from a lateral photograph.Results:FSA decreased relative to the control condition while participants wore the sham shirt (P = .029) but not the corrective posture shirt (P = 1.00). FHA was unchanged between groups (P = .371).Conclusions:Application of a corrective posture shirt did not acutely alter FSA or FHA, while application of a sham shirt may decrease FSA at rest.

scholarly journals Effects of Static Stretching With High-Intensity and Short-Duration or Low-Intensity and Long-Duration on Range of Motion and Muscle Stiffness

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taizan Fukaya ◽  
Ryosuke Kiyono ◽  
Shigeru Sato ◽  
Kaoru Yahata ◽  
Koki Yasaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Modulus ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Short Duration ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Muscle Stiffness ◽  
Static Stretching ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Shear Elastic Modulus ◽  
Passive Torque ◽  
Long Duration

This study investigated the effects of static stretching (SS) delivered with the same load but using two protocols – high-intensity and short-duration and low-intensity and long-duration – on range of motion (ROM) and muscle stiffness. A total of 18 healthy students participated in the study. They randomly performed high-intensity and short-duration (120% and 100 s) or low-intensity and long-duration (50% and 240 s) SS. Outcomes were assessed on ROM, passive torque at dorsiflexion ROM, and shear elastic modulus of the medial gastrocnemius before and after static stretching. The results showed that ROM increased significantly at post-stretching compared to that at pre-stretching in both high-intensity and short-duration [+6.1° ± 4.6° (Δ25.7 ± 19.9%)] and low-intensity and long-duration [+3.6° ± 2.3° (Δ16.0 ± 11.8%)]. Also, the ROM was significantly higher at post-stretching in high-intensity and short-duration conditions than that in low-intensity and long-duration. The passive torque at dorsiflexion ROM was significantly increased in both high-intensity and short-duration [+5.8 ± 12.8 Nm (Δ22.9 ± 40.5%)] and low-intensity and long-duration [+2.1 ± 3.4 Nm (Δ6.9 ± 10.8%)] conditions, but no significant differences were observed between both conditions. The shear elastic modulus was significantly decreased in both high-intensity and short-duration [−8.8 ± 6.1 kPa (Δ − 38.8 ± 14.5%)] and low-intensity and long-duration [−8.0 ± 12.8 kPa (Δ − 22.2 ± 33.8%)] conditions. Moreover, the relative change in shear elastic modulus in the high-intensity and short-duration SS was significantly greater than that in low-intensity and long-duration SS. Our results suggest that a higher intensity of the static stretching should be conducted to increase ROM and decrease muscle stiffness, even for a short time.

Active muscle stiffness in the human medial gastrocnemius muscle in vivo

2014 ◽  
Vol 117 (9) ◽  
pp. 1020-1026 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keitaro Kubo
Keyword(s):  
Gastrocnemius Muscle ◽  
Muscle Stiffness ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Plantar Flexors ◽  
Active Muscle ◽  
Tendon Stiffness ◽  
Series Elastic Component ◽  
In Series ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle

The aims of this study were to 1) directly assess active muscle stiffness according to actual length changes in muscle fibers (fascicles) during short range stretching; and 2) compare actual measured active muscle and tendon stiffness using ultrasonography with the stiffness of active (i.e., muscle) and passive (i.e., tendon) parts in series elastic component of plantar flexors using the alpha method. Twenty-four healthy men volunteered for this study. Active muscle stiffness in the medial gastrocnemius muscle was calculated according to changes in estimated muscle force and fascicle length during fast stretching after submaximal isometric contractions [10, 30, 50, 70, and 90% maximal voluntary contractions (MVC)]. Using the variables measured during this fast stretch experiment, the stiffness of active (i.e., muscle) and passive (i.e., tendon) parts in plantar flexors was assessed using alpha method. Tendon stiffness was determined during isometric plantar flexion by ultrasonography. Active muscle stiffness increased with the exerted torque levels. At 30, 50, 70, and 90% MVC, there were no significant correlations between muscle stiffness using ultrasonography and stiffness of active part (i.e., muscle) by alpha method, although this relationship at 10% MVC was significant ( r = 0.552, P = 0.005). In addition, no correlation was noted in tendon stiffness between the two different methods ( r = 0.226, P = 0.209). The present study demonstrated that ultrasonography could quantified active muscle stiffness in vivo. Furthermore, active muscle stiffness and tendon stiffness using ultrasonography were not related to active (i.e., muscle) or passive (i.e., tendon) stiffness in series elastic component of plantar flexors by alpha method.

scholarly journals Association between the Range of Motion and Passive Property of the Gastrocnemius Muscle–Tendon Unit in Older Population

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 314
Author(s):  
Masatoshi Nakamura ◽  
Shigeru Sato ◽  
Ryosuke Kiyono ◽  
Kaoru Yahata ◽  
Riku Yoshida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Modulus ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Gastrocnemius Muscle ◽  
Ankle Dorsiflexion ◽  
Muscle Stiffness ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Shear Elastic Modulus ◽  
Passive Torque ◽  
Passive Muscle ◽  
Passive Muscle Stiffness

Range of motion has been widely known to decrease with age; however, factors associated with its decrease in the elderly population and especially its gender difference have been unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the factors associated with ankle dorsiflexion range of motion in the older population. Both male (n = 17, mean ± SD; 70.5 ± 4.2 years; 165.4 ± 5.3 cm; 63.8 ± 7.7 kg) and female (n = 25, 74.0 ± 4.0 years; 151.2 ± 4.9 cm; 50.1 ± 5.6 kg) community-dwelling older adults participated in this study. The ankle dorsiflexion and passive torque of both legs were measured using a dynamometer, and shear elastic modulus of the medial gastrocnemius muscle at 0° ankle angle was measured using ultrasonic shear wave elastography. In this study, we defined the passive torque at dorsiflexion range of motion (DF ROM) as the index of stretch tolerance, and shear elastic modulus as the index of passive muscle stiffness. The partial correlation coefficient adjusted by age, height, weight, and side (dominant or nondominant side) was used to analyze the relationship between DF ROM and passive torque at DF ROM or shear elastic modulus of MG in each male and female participant, respectively. Our results revealed that dorsiflexion range of motion was significantly associated with passive torque at dorsiflexion range of motion in both male (r = 0.455, p = 0.012) and female (r = 0.486, p < 0.01), but not with shear elastic modulus in both male (r = −0.123, p = 0.519) and female (r = 0.019, p = 0.898). Our results suggested that the ankle dorsiflexion range of motion could be related to the stretch tolerance, but not to passive muscle stiffness in community-dwelling elderly population regardless of gender.

Acute and prolonged effect of static stretching on the passive stiffness of the human gastrocnemius muscle tendon unit in vivo

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (11) ◽  
pp. 1759-1763 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masatoshi Nakamura ◽  
Tome Ikezoe ◽  
Yohei Takeno ◽  
Noriaki Ichihashi
Keyword(s):  
Gastrocnemius Muscle ◽  
Static Stretching ◽  
Passive Stiffness ◽  
Prolonged Effect

scholarly journals Comparison of the Acute Effects of Hold-Relax and Static Stretching among Older Adults

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 126
Author(s):  
Masatoshi Nakamura ◽  
Shigeru Sato ◽  
Ryosuke Kiyono ◽  
Kaoru Yahata ◽  
Riku Yoshida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Significant Interaction ◽  
Elderly Women ◽  
Muscle Stiffness ◽  
Static Stretching ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
Significant Interaction Effect ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Post Hoc

Various stretching techniques are generally recommended to counteract age-related declines in range of motion (ROM) and/or increased muscle stiffness. However, to date, an effective stretching technique has not yet been established for older adults. Consequently, we compared the acute effects of hold relax stretching (HRS) and static stretching (SS) on dorsiflexion (DF) ROM and muscle stiffness among older adults. Overall, 15 elderly men and nine elderly women (70.2 ± 3.9 years, 160.8 ± 7.8 cm, 59.6 ± 9.7 kg) were enrolled, and both legs were randomized to either HRS or SS stretching. We measured DF ROM and muscle stiffness using a dynamometer and ultrasonography before and after 120 s of HRS or SS interventions. Our multivariate analysis indicated no significant interaction effects, but a main effect for DF ROM. Post-hoc tests revealed that DF ROM was increased after both HRS and SS interventions. Moreover, multivariate analysis showed a significant interaction effect for muscle stiffness. Post-hoc tests revealed that muscle stiffness was decreased significantly after only SS intervention. Taken together, our results indicated that both HRS and SS interventions are recommended to increase ROM, and SS is recommended to decrease muscle stiffness in older adults.

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