Neuromuscular factors influencing the maximum stretch limit of the human plantar flexors

2012 ◽  
Vol 113 (9) ◽  
pp. 1446-1455 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Blazevich ◽  
D. Cannavan ◽  
C. M. Waugh ◽  
F. Fath ◽  
S. C. Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Joint Moment ◽  
H Reflex ◽  
Plantar Flexors ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Passive Joint ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Tendon Lengthening ◽  
Maximum Range

Maximum joint range of motion is an important parameter influencing functional performance and musculoskeletal injury risk. Nonetheless, a complete description of the muscle architectural and tendon changes that occur during stretch and the factors influencing maximum range of motion is lacking. We measured muscle-tendon elongation and fascicle lengthening and rotation sonographically during maximal plantar flexor stretches in 21 healthy men. Electromyogram (EMG) recordings were obtained synchronously with ultrasound and joint moment data, and H-reflex measurements were made with the ankle at neutral (0°) and dorsiflexed (50% maximal passive joint moment) positions; the maximum H amplitude (normalized to maximum M-wave amplitude; Mmax) and H-amplitude elicited at a stimulation intensity that evoked 10% Mmaxwere obtained. Maximal stretch was accomplished through significant muscle (14.9%; 30 mm) and tendon lengthening (8.4%; 22 mm). There were similar relative changes in fascicle length and angle, but planimetric modeling indicated that the contribution of fascicle rotation to muscle lengthening was small (<4 mm). Subjects with a greater range of motion showed less resistance to stretch and a greater passive joint moment at stretch termination than less flexible subjects (i.e., greater stretch tolerance). Also, greater fascicle rotation accompanied muscle elongation (9.7 vs. 5.9%) and there was a greater tendon length at stretch termination in more flexible subjects. Finally, a moderate correlation between the angle of EMG onset and maximum range of motion was obtained ( r = 0.60, P < 0.05), despite there being no difference in H-reflex magnitudes between the groups. Thus clear differences in the neuromuscular responses to stretch were observed between “flexible” and “inflexible” subjects.

scholarly journals Range of motion, neuromechanical, and architectural adaptations to plantar flexor stretch training in humans

2014 ◽  
Vol 117 (5) ◽  
pp. 452-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Blazevich ◽  
D. Cannavan ◽  
C. M. Waugh ◽  
S. C. Miller ◽  
J. B. Thorlund ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Joint Angle ◽  
Maximum Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Muscle Length ◽  
Joint Moment ◽  
Muscle Stiffness ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Plantar Flexor ◽  
Passive Joint

The neuromuscular adaptations in response to muscle stretch training have not been clearly described. In the present study, changes in muscle (at fascicular and whole muscle levels) and tendon mechanics, muscle activity, and spinal motoneuron excitability were examined during standardized plantar flexor stretches after 3 wk of twice daily stretch training (4 × 30 s). No changes were observed in a nonexercising control group ( n = 9), however stretch training elicited a 19.9% increase in dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) and a 28% increase in passive joint moment at end ROM ( n = 12). Only a trend toward a decrease in passive plantar flexor moment during stretch (−9.9%; P = 0.15) was observed, and no changes in electromyographic amplitudes during ROM or at end ROM were detected. Decreases in Hmax:Mmax(tibial nerve stimulation) were observed at plantar flexed (gastrocnemius medialis and soleus) and neutral (soleus only) joint angles, but not with the ankle dorsiflexed. Muscle and fascicle strain increased (12 vs. 23%) along with a decrease in muscle stiffness (−18%) during stretch to a constant target joint angle. Muscle length at end ROM increased (13%) without a change in fascicle length, fascicle rotation, tendon elongation, or tendon stiffness following training. A lack of change in maximum voluntary contraction moment and rate of force development at any joint angle was taken to indicate a lack of change in series compliance of the muscle-tendon unit. Thus, increases in end ROM were underpinned by increases in maximum tolerable passive joint moment (stretch tolerance) and both muscle and fascicle elongation rather than changes in volitional muscle activation or motoneuron pool excitability.

Effects of Self-Massage Using a Foam Roller on Ankle Range of Motion and Gastrocnemius Fascicle Length and Muscle Hardness: A Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 1171-1178
Author(s):  
Akane Yoshimura ◽  
Robert Schleip ◽  
Norikazu Hirose
Keyword(s):  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Plantar Flexion ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Plantar Flexors ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Muscle Hardness ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Right

Context: Several studies have reported that self-massage using a foam roller (FR) increased joint range of motion (ROM) immediately. However, the mechanism of increasing ROM by the FR intervention has not been elucidated. Objective: To clarify the mechanism by investigating properties and morphological changes of muscles targeted by the FR intervention. Design: An interventional study. Setting: An athletic training laboratory. Participants: Ten male college volunteers with no injuries in their lower limbs (mean [SD]: age 23.8 [3.2] y, height 173.2 [4.9] cm, weight 69.5 [8.6] kg). Intervention: The FR intervention on the right plantar flexors for 3 minutes. Main Outcome Measures: Maximum ankle ROM, muscle hardness, and fascicle length of the gastrocnemius muscle at the neutral (0°), maximum dorsiflexion, and maximum plantar flexion positions. All measurements were conducted before (PRE) and after (POST) the FR intervention. Results: Dorsiflexion ROM increased significantly at POST (PRE: 13.6° [8.0°], POST: 16.6° [8.4°]; P < .001), although plantar flexion ROM did not change significantly between PRE and POST (PRE: 40.0° [6.1°], POST: 41.1° [4.9°]). There was no significant difference in muscle hardness and fascicle length between PRE and POST in any of the angles. Conclusions: Dorsiflexion ROM increased significantly by the FR intervention in the present study; however, muscle hardness and fascicle length did not change. FR may affect not only the muscle but also the fascia, tendon, and muscle-tendon unit. The FR protocol of the present study can be applied in clinical situations, because it was found to be effective to increase ROM.

Estimation of Passive Ankle Joint Moment during Standing and Walking

2005 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetsuro Muraoka ◽  
Tadashi Muramatsu ◽  
Daisuke Takeshita ◽  
Hiroaki Kanehisa ◽  
Tetsuo Fukunaga
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Ankle Joint ◽  
Joint Moment ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Joint Motion ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Passive Joint ◽  
Muscle Fascicle ◽  
Ankle Joint Moment ◽  
Ankle Joint Motion

This study estimated the passive ankle joint moment during standing and walking initiation and its contribution to total ankle joint moment during that time. The decrement of passive joint moment due to muscle fascicle shortening upon contraction was taken into account. Muscle fascicle length in the medial gastrocnemius, which was assumed to represent muscle fascicle length in plantarflexors, was measured using ultrasonography during standing, walking initiation, and cyclical slow passive ankle joint motion. Total ankle joint moment during standing and walking initiation was calculated from ground reaction forces and joint kinematics. Passive ankle joint moment during the cyclical ankle joint motion was measured via a dynamometer. Passive ankle joint moment during standing and at the time (Tp) when the MG muscle-tendon complex length was longest in the stance phase during walking initiation were 2.3 and 5.4 Nm, respectively. The muscle fascicle shortened by 2.9 mm during standing compared with the length at rest, which decreased the contribution of passive joint moment from 19.9% to 17.4%. The muscle fascicle shortened by 4.3 mm at Tp compared with the length at rest, which decreased the contribution of passive joint moment from 8.0% to 5.8%. These findings suggest that (a) passive ankle joint moment plays an important role during standing and walking initiation even in view of the decrement of passive joint moment due to muscle fascicle shortening upon muscle contraction, and (b) muscle fascicle shortening upon muscle contraction must be taken into account when estimating passive joint moment during movements.

scholarly journals Analyzing the Magnitude of Interlimb Asymmetries in Young Female Soccer Players: A Preliminary Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 475
Author(s):  
Javier Raya-González ◽  
Filipe Manuel Clemente ◽  
Daniel Castillo
Keyword(s):  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Young Female ◽  
Asymmetry Index ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Countermovement Jump ◽  
Change Of Direction ◽  
Jump Ability

Although asymmetries in lower limbs have been linked with players’ performance in male soccer players, literature that has been published addressing female soccer is scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was twofold: (i) describe the asymmetries of women soccer players during jumping, change-of-direction and range-of-motion tests; and (ii) test possible relationships between asymmetries and injury risk in female soccer players. Sixteen female players (15.5 ± 1.5 years) performed a battery of fitness tests (i.e., jump ability, change-of-direction ability and passive range-of-motion) and muscle mass analysis via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, through which the specific asymmetry index and the related injury risk were calculated. Significant (p < 0.05) lower asymmetries in the change-of-direction test were observed in comparison to those observed in jumping and range-of-motion tests; significant (p < 0.05) lower asymmetries in muscle mass were also reported compared to those found in the change-of-direction and countermovement jump tests. Additionally, increased injury risk for countermovement jump and hip flexion with extended knee range-of-motion (relating to asymmetry values) and for ankle flexion with flexed knee range-of-motion in both legs (relating to reference range-of-motion values), as well as increased individual injury risk values, were observed across all tests. These findings suggest the necessity to implement individual approaches for asymmetry and injury risk analyses.

scholarly journals Identification of Individual Muscle Length Parameters from Measurements of Passive Joint Moment Around the Ankle Joint

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 168-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hisashi NAITO ◽  
Yasushi AKAZAWA ◽  
Ayu MIURA ◽  
Takeshi MATSUMOTO ◽  
Masao TANAKA
Keyword(s):  
Ankle Joint ◽  
Muscle Length ◽  
Joint Moment ◽  
Passive Joint ◽  
Individual Muscle

Changes in H-reflex amplitude to muscle stretch and lengthening in humans

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 511-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Budini ◽  
Markus Tilp
Keyword(s):  
Human Movement ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
H Reflex ◽  
Spinal Reflex ◽  
Neural Pathways ◽  
Static Stretching ◽  
Plantar Flexors ◽  
Reflex Excitability ◽  
Apparent Disagreement ◽  
Shed Light

AbstractSpinal reflex excitability is traditionally assessed to investigate neural adjustments that occur during human movement. Different experimental procedures are known to condition spinal reflex excitability. Among these, lengthening movements and static stretching the human triceps have been investigated over the last 50 years. The purpose of this review is to shed light on several apparent incongruities in terms of magnitude and duration of the reported results. In the present review dissimilarities in neuro-spinal changes are examined in relation to the methodologies applied to condition and measure them. Literature that investigated three different conditioning procedures was reviewed: passive dorsiflexion, active dorsiflexion through antagonists shortening and eccentric plantar-flexors contractions. Measurements were obtained before, during and after lengthening or stretching. Stimulation intensities and time delays between conditioning procedures and stimuli varied considerably. H-reflex decreases immediately as static stretching is applied and in proportion to the stretch degree. During dorsiflexions the inhibition is stronger with greater dorsiflexion angular velocity and at lower nerve stimulation intensities, while it is weaker if any concomitant muscle contraction is performed. Within 2 s after a single passive dorsiflexion movement, H-reflex is strongly inhibited, and this effect disappears within 15 s. Dorsiflexions repeated over 1 h and prolonged static stretching training induce long-lasting inhibition. This review highlights that the apparent disagreement between studies is ascribable to small methodological differences. Lengthening movements and stretching can strongly influence spinal neural pathways. Results interpretation, however, needs careful consideration of the methodology applied.

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

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”.

Examining the Dynamic Nature of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Risk Factors in Women’s Collegiate Soccer

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Elena M. D’Argenio ◽  
Timothy G. Eckard ◽  
Barnett S. Frank ◽  
William E. Prentice ◽  
Darin A. Padua
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
External Rotation ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Acl Injury ◽  
Dynamic Risk Factors ◽  
Dynamic Risk ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Context: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are a common and devastating injury in women’s soccer. Several risk factors for ACL injury have been identified, but have not yet been examined as potentially dynamic risk factors, which may change throughout a collegiate soccer season. Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: Nine common clinical screening assessments for ACL injury risk, consisting of range of motion, movement quality, and power, were assessed in 29 Division I collegiate women’s soccer players. Preseason and midseason values were compared for significant differences. Change scores for each risk factor were also correlated with cumulative training loads during the first 10 weeks of a competitive soccer season. Results: Hip external rotation range of motion and power had statistically significant and meaningful differences at midseason compared with preseason, indicating they are dynamic risk factors. There were no significant associations between the observed risk factor changes and cumulative training load. Conclusions: Hip external rotation range of motion and power are dynamic risk factors for ACL injury in women’s collegiate soccer athletes. Serial screening of these risk factors may elucidate stronger associations with injury risk and improve prognostic accuracy of screening tools.

scholarly journals Effects of Intermittent and Continuous Static Stretching on Range of Motion and Musculotendinous Viscoelastic Properties Based on a Duration-Matched Protocol

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (20) ◽  
pp. 10632
Author(s):  
Kensuke Oba ◽  
Mina Samukawa ◽  
Yosuke Abe ◽  
Yukino Suzuki ◽  
Miho Komatsuzaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Plantar Flexors ◽  
Constant Torque ◽  
Resistive Torque ◽  
Repeated Measures Analysis ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Musculotendinous Stiffness ◽  
Torque Angle

The different effects of intermittent and continuous stretching on the mechanical properties of the musculotendinous complex have been unclear. This study aimed to compare the effects of intermittent and continuous stretching for the same duration on the range of motion (ROM), passive resistive torque (PRT), and musculotendinous stiffness (MTS) of ankle plantar flexors. Eighteen healthy young men participated in the study. Intermittent (four sets × 30 s) and continuous stretching (one set × 120 s) were performed in random orders on two separate days. Both stretching protocols were conducted using a dynamometer with a constant torque applied. ROM and PRT were determined using a dynamometer, and MTS was calculated using the torque–angle relationship measured before and after stretching. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance was performed for all parameters. Both intermittent and continuous stretching significantly increased ROM and decreased PRT and MTS (p < 0.05). Intermittent stretching led to greater changes in ROM and PRT than continuous stretching. However, the reduction in MTS did not differ between the two conditions. These results suggest that intermittent stretching is more effective in increasing ROM and changing the mechanical properties of the musculotendinous complex.

scholarly journals Hip Range of Motion and Strength and Energy Flow During Windmill Softball Pitching

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gretchen D. Oliver ◽  
Kyle Wasserberger ◽  
Anne de Swart ◽  
Kenzie Friesen ◽  
Jessica Downs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Energy Flow ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
External Rotation ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Net Energy ◽  
Acceleration Phase ◽  
Hip Range Of Motion ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
The Relationship

Context Inadequate hip range of motion (ROM) and isometric strength (ISO) may interfere with energy flow through the kinetic chain and result in increased injury susceptibility. Objective To examine the relationship of hip ROM and ISO with energy flow through the trunk and pitching-arm segments during the windmill softball pitch in youth athletes. A subsequent purpose was to examine the relationship between energy flow and pitch speed. Design Descriptive laboratory study. Setting University research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants A sample of 29 youth softball pitchers (age = 11.2 ± 1.3 years, height = 155.0 ± 10.4 cm, mass = 53.2 ± 12.6 kg). Main Outcome Measure(s) Bilateral hip internal-rotation and external-rotation (ER) ROM and ISO were measured. Net energy outflow and peak rates of energy outflow from the distal ends of the trunk, humerus, and forearm were calculated for the acceleration phase of the windmill softball pitch, and pitch speed was measured. Results Regression analysis revealed an effect of drive-hip ER ISO on the net energy flow out of the distal ends of the trunk (P = .045) and humerus (P = .002). Specifically, increased drive-hip ER ISO was associated with increased net energy outflow from the trunk to the humerus and from the humerus to the forearm. No significant effects of hip ROM or other hip ISO measures were observed. Additionally, pitchers who achieved higher peak rates of distal outflow tended to achieve higher pitch speeds. Conclusions An association was present between drive-hip ER ISO and the net energy flow out of the distal ends of the trunk and humerus during the acceleration phase of the windmill softball pitch, emphasizing the importance of hip and lower body strength in executing the whole-body windmill pitch. Overall, energy-flow analysis is an interesting new way to analyze pitching mechanics and will aid in furthering our understanding of performance and injury risk in windmill softball pitching.

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