Duration Dependent Effect of Static Stretching on Quadriceps and Hamstring Muscle Force

Context: Hamstring injuries are common, and lack of hamstring flexibility may predispose to injury. Static stretching not only increases range of motion (ROM) but also results in reduced muscle strength after stretching. The effects of stretching on the hamstring muscles and the duration of these effects remain unclear. Objective: To determine the effects of static stretching on the hamstrings and the duration of these effects. Design: Randomized crossover study. Setting: University laboratory. Participants: A total of 24 healthy volunteers. Interventions: The torque–angle relationship (ROM, passive torque [PT] at the onset of pain, and passive stiffness) and isometric muscle force using an isokinetic dynamometer were measured. After a 60-minute rest, the ROM of the dynamometer was set at the maximum tolerable intensity; this position was maintained for 300 seconds, while static PT was measured continuously. The torque–angle relationship and isometric muscle force after rest periods of 10, 20, and 30 minutes were remeasured. Main Outcome Measures: Change in static PT during stretching and changes in ROM, PT at the onset of pain, passive stiffness, and isometric muscle force before stretching were compared with 10, 20, and 30 minutes after stretching. Results: Static PT decreased significantly during stretching. Passive stiffness decreased significantly 10 and 20 minutes after stretching, but there was no significant prestretching versus poststretching difference after 30 minutes. PT at the onset of pain and ROM increased significantly after stretching at all rest intervals, while isometric muscle force decreased significantly after all rest intervals. Conclusions: The effect of static stretching on passive stiffness of the hamstrings was not maintained as long as the changes in ROM, stretch tolerance, and isometric muscle force. Therefore, frequent stretching is necessary to improve the viscoelasticity of the muscle–tendon unit. Muscle force decreased for 30 minutes after stretching; this should be considered prior to activities requiring maximal muscle strength.

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EFFECT OF FOAM ROLLER AND STATIC STRETCHING ON BIOMECHANICAL PARAMETERS OF MUSCLE

SOCIETY INTEGRATION EDUCATION Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference ◽

10.17770/sie2020vol6.5082 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. 150

Author(s):

Uģis Ciematnieks ◽

Evita Tomanoviča

Keyword(s):

Blood Circulation ◽

Muscle Tension ◽

Static Stretching ◽

Hamstring Muscle ◽

Myofascial Release ◽

Muscle Stretching ◽

Study Find ◽

Biomechanical Parameters ◽

Parameters Measurement ◽

Stretching Exercises

After training, it is needed to perform flexibility exercises for muscle stretching, but many choose to use the foam roller. With a foam roller, you can both exercise and perform a myofascial release that affects the deep tissues of extremities. Myofascial release improves blood circulation in muscle, develops elasticity, flexibility and minimizes the risk of an unwanted injury (Myers & Frederick, 2012). Many studies are being carried out to determine the effects of the various types of stretching on balance, speed and reaction (Apostolopoulos, Metisos, Flouris & Koutedakis, 2015). Training programs are designed so that after applying different workloads at the end there is cool-down through stretching exercises, but these training plans rarely recommends foam rollers as stretching means, even though they are popular every day. Aim of study: Find out the most effective method for reducing muscle tension in lower extremities. The study identifies changes in the biomechanical parameters of the hamstring muscle group after general stretching exercises and foam roller, after GRIP fitness concept class, using the Myoton PRO biomechanical parameters measurement. The study do not show any significant differences that may be in favour of one or the other method. Literature sources indicate that foam rollers exercises helps to relieve and restore the strained muscles more quickly, increases flexibility (Barrett, 2017). Our study did not confirm any of such findings. Foam roller exercises for myophascial release is as effective as static stretching exercises.

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Effect of participants’ static stretching knowledge or deception on the responses to prolonged stretching

Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1139/apnm-2016-0241 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 41 (10) ◽

pp. 1052-1056 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

W.C. Ian Janes ◽

Brandon B.G. Snow ◽

Caisie E. Watkins ◽

Elecia A.L. Noseworthy ◽

Jonathan C. Reid ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Muscle Force ◽

Force Production ◽

Quadriceps Muscle ◽

Knee Extension ◽

Static Stretching ◽

Production Testing ◽

Force Output ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Significant Impairment ◽

Flexion Force

Much of the static stretching (SS) literature reports performance impairments with prolonged SS. However, it has been acknowledged that a limitation of these studies is participants’ knowledge or bias. Since many participants have knowledge of the literature, their performance may be subconsciously influenced by expectations. Hence, the objective of this study was to examine the effect of stretching knowledge or deception on subsequent force output following SS. Two groups of male participants who were either aware (BIASED: 14) or unaware (DECEPTION: 14) of the SS literature participated. Unaware participants were misinformed that SS increases force production. Testing involved maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVC) of the quadriceps and hamstrings at pre-, post-, and 5 min post-intervention (three 30-s passive hamstring stretches to the point of discomfort with 30-s rest intervals) or control. While the DECEPTION group displayed impaired knee flexion force (p = 0.04; 3.6% and 10.4%) following hamstrings SS, there was no significant impairment with the BIASED (–1.1% and +0.9%) group. Both groups exhibited hamstrings F200 (force produced in the first 200 ms) impairments following SS. Whereas BIASED participants exhibited an overall decrease (p < 0.05; 1.8% and 4.2%) in knee extension MVC, DECEPTION participants showed (p = 0.005; 8.8% and 5.1%) force increases. The quadriceps F200 was not significantly affected with the BIASED group but overall there were 4.5% and 8.7% F200 impairments at 1 and 5 min post-intervention (p = 0.05) with the DECEPTION group. Thus while deception resulted in enhanced quadriceps muscle force output, there was no knowledge or deception advantage when stretching the hamstrings.

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