Acute Effects of Intermittent and Continuous Static Stretching on Hip Flexion Angle in Athletes with Varying Flexibility Training Background

Τhis study examined changes in hip joint flexion angle after an intermittent or a continuous static stretching protocol of equal total duration. Twenty-seven female subjects aged 19.9 ± 3.0 years (14 artistic and rhythmic gymnasts and 13 team sports athletes), performed 3 min of intermittent (6 × 30 s with 30 s rest) or continuous static stretching (3 min) of the hip extensors, with an intensity of 80–90 on a 100-point visual analogue scale. The order of stretching was randomized and counterbalanced, and each subject performed both conditions. Hip flexion angle was measured with the straight leg raise test for both legs after warm-up and immediately after stretching. Both stretching types equally increased hip flexion angle by ~6% (continuous: 140.9° ± 20.4° to 148.6° ± 18.8°, p = 0.047; intermittent: 141.8° ± 20.3° to 150.0° ± 18.8°, p = 0.029) in artistic and rhythmic gymnasts. In contrast, in team sports athletes, only intermittent stretching increased hip flexion angle by 13% (from 91.0° ± 7.2° to 102.4° ± 14.5°, p = 0.001), while continuous stretching did not affect hip angle (from 92.4° ± 6.9° vs. 93.1° ± 9.2°, p = 0.99). The different effect of intermittent vs. continuous stretching on hip flexion between gymnasts and team sports athletes suggests that responses to static stretching are dependent on stretching mode and participants training experience.

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Acute Effects Of Different Stretching Durations on Vertical Jump Performance in Rhythmic Gymnasts

Baltic Journal of Sport and Health Sciences ◽

10.33607/bjshs.v3i82.316 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (82) ◽

Author(s):

Nuriye Özengin ◽

Necmiye Ün Yıldırım ◽

Gül Baltacı ◽

Nerijus Masiulis

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Vertical Jump ◽

Effective Means ◽

Anaerobic Power ◽

Static Stretching ◽

Jump Performance ◽

Warm Up ◽

Rhythmic Gymnastics ◽

Rhythmic Gymnasts ◽

Stretching Exercises

Research background. Stretching is believed to enhance performance, reduce injury, and be an effective means of developing flexibility and alleviating muscular soreness (Shellock, Prentice, 1985; Brandy et al., 1997). A review of the current literature shows that the results of many studies conflict with others; some report that static stretching diminishes vertical jum (VJ) performance (Cornwell et al., 2001; McNeal, Sands, 2003; Wallmann et al., 2005), whereas others report that static stretching has no effect at all on VJ (Church et al., 2001; Power et al., 2004; Unick et al., 2005). Research aim, was to examine the effects of different durations of stretching on performance and to find the stretching durations that affect the performance negatively or positively. Research methods. The subjects of the study were 27 rhythmic gymnasts with the mean age of 10.00 ± 1.2 years. The subjects as a whole group participated in two different stretching programs on nonconsecutive days to eliminate the effect of individual differences on the performance. On the first day, athletes were asked to warm up by 5 minute jogging after the pretest was administered. The posttest measured the vertical jump performance after athletes stayed inactive for 20 minutes. They rested for a day and on the third day, their performance was measured again. After the 5 minute warm-up period, 10 repetitions of 15 seconds static stretching exercises for hip flexor, hamstring and gastrocnemius muscle groups were followed by the posttest. Moreover, on the fifth day 30-second exercises were repeated five times on the same type of muscles. The participants in this investigation were tested in individual vertical jump performances following warm-up only, warm-up plus 15 seconds static stretching, and warm-up plus 30 seconds. Research results. Results of a one-way repeated-measures ANOVA indicated a nonsignificant difference for vertical jump performance (F = 2.052; p > 0.05). Discussion and conclusions. Stretching exercises are referred in rhythmic gymnastics more intensively than other sports. Relevant literature displays fewer stretching repetitions and durations. These durations and repetitions may not be realistic and practical for rhythmic gymnasts. Therefore, the durations and repetitions utilized in this study are considered more appropriate for rhythmic gymnastics trainings. Rhythmic gymnasts may make use of duration and repetitions determined in this study that will not affect their performance.Keywords: anaerobic power, gymnastics, exercise.

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Gastrocnemius Medialis Architectural Properties at Rest and During Stretching in Female Athletes with Different Flexibility Training Background

Sports ◽

10.3390/sports7020039 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 39 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Olyvia Donti ◽

Ioli Panidis ◽

Gerasimos Terzis ◽

Gregory Bogdanis

Keyword(s):

Distal Part ◽

Female Athletes ◽

National Level ◽

Muscle Thickness ◽

Pennation Angle ◽

Static Stretching ◽

Gastrocnemius Medialis ◽

Flexibility Training ◽

Training Background ◽

Rhythmic Gymnasts

Background: This study examined gastrocnemius medialis (GM) architectural properties and ankle joint range of motion (ROM) between female athletes with different flexibility training background. Methods: Elite rhythmic gymnasts (n = 10) were compared to national level volleyball athletes (n = 10). Fascicle length, pennation angle and muscle thickness at the medial and the distal part of GM, and ankle ROM were measured at rest and during 1 min of static stretching. Results: At rest, rhythmic gymnasts displayed longer fascicles compared to volleyball athletes, at the medial (5.93 ± 0.27 vs. 4.74 ± 0.33 mm, respectively, p = 0.001) and the distal part of GM (5.63 ± 0.52 vs. 4.57 ± 0.51 mm, respectively, p = 0.001), smaller pennation angle at the medial part (22.4 ± 2.5 vs. 25.8 ± 2.4°; respectively, p = 0.001) and greater ankle angle (121.7 ± 4.1 vs. 113.2 ± 3.7°, respectively, p = 0.001). During the 1 min of static stretching, gymnasts displayed greater fascicle elongation at the distal part (p = 0.026), greater maximal ankle dorsiflexion (p < 0.001) and muscle tendon junction displacement (p < 0.001) with no difference between groups in pennation angles (p > 0.145), muscle thickness (p > 0.105), and fascicle elongation at mid-belly (p = 0.063). Conclusions: Longer muscle fascicles at rest and greater fascicle elongation at the distal part of GM may contribute to the greater ankle ROM observed in rhythmic gymnasts.

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Correlation analysis of demographic and anthropometric factors, hip flexion angle and conus medullaris displacement with unilateral and bilateral straight leg raise

European Spine Journal ◽

10.1007/s00586-015-3861-x ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 724-731 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Marinko Rade ◽

Mervi Könönen ◽

Jarkko Marttila ◽

Ritva Vanninen ◽

Michael Shacklock ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Correlation Analysis ◽

Conus Medullaris ◽

Flexion Angle ◽

Hip Flexion ◽

Straight Leg Raise

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Acute Effect of Intermittent and Continuous Static Stretching on Hip Joint Range of Motion in Trained and Untrained Subjects

Proceedings ◽

10.3390/proceedings2019025016 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 16 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Vasiliki Gaspari ◽

Kostantina Papia ◽

Ioli Panidi ◽

Olyvia Donti ◽

Gregory C. Bogdanis

Keyword(s):

Range Of Motion ◽

Hip Joint ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Total Duration ◽

Acute Effect ◽

Important Variable ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Static Stretching ◽

Warm Up ◽

Joint Range

Aim: It is well documented that static stretching acutely increases range of motion (ROM) in a dose-dependent manner. However, most previous studies have utilized intermittent stretching protocols, and it is not known if intermittent and continuous stretches elicit different changes in joint ROM and, in particular, in flexibility-trained subjects. The aim of this study was to examine changes in hip joint ROM after an intermittent or a continuous static stretching protocol of equal total duration. Material & Method: Twenty-seven female subjects (age, 19.9 ± 3.0 years; height, 167.3 ± 6.1 cm; body mass, 58.2 ± 5.2 kg), 14 artistic and rhythmic gymnasts, and 13 recreationally active participants performed 3 min of intermittent (6 × 30 s with 30 s rest) or continuous stretching (3 min) of the hamstring muscles, with an intensity of 8–9 on a 10-point visual analogue scale. Hip joint ROM was measured for both legs after warm-up and immediately after stretching. The same individuals performed both conditions with alternate legs in a randomized, counterbalanced order. Data were analysed using mixed-model three-way ANOVA. Results: In the untrained participants, only intermittent stretching increased ROM by 13% (from 91.0 ± 7.2° to 102.4 ± 14.5°, p = 0.001), while continuous stretching did not affect ROM (from 92.4 ± 6.9° to 93.1 ± 9.2°, p = 0.99). In the trained participants, both stretching types equally increased ROM by ~6% (continuous, 140.9 ± 20.4° to 148.6 ± 18.8°, p = 0.047; intermittent, 141.8 ± 20.3° to 150.0 ± 18.8°, p = 0.029). Conclusions: The different effect of intermittent vs. continuous stretching on hip ROM between trained and untrained subjects suggests that stretching mode is an important variable when examining the acute effects of static stretching on ROM enhancement.

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Immediate effects of static and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching of hamstring muscles on straight leg raise, craniovertebral angle, and cervical spine range of motion in neck pain patients with hamstring tightness: A prospective randomized controlled trial

Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation ◽

10.3233/bmr-201840 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Eun-Dong Jeong ◽

Chang-Yong Kim ◽

Nack-Hwan Kim ◽

Hyeong-Dong Kim

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Neck Pain ◽

Range Of Motion ◽

T Test ◽

Static Stretching ◽

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation ◽

Before And After ◽

Straight Leg Raise ◽

Pain Patients ◽

Group Effects

BACKGROUND: The cranio-cervical flexion exercise and sub-occipital muscle inhibition technique have been used to improve a forward head posture among neck pain patients with straight leg raise (SLR) limitation. However, little is known about the cranio-vertebral angle (CVA) and cervical spine range of motion (CROM) after applying stretching methods to the hamstring muscle. OBJECTIVE: To compare the immediate effects of static stretching and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching on SLR, CVA, and CROM in neck pain patients with hamstring tightness. METHODS: 64 subjects were randomly allocated to the static stretching (n1= 32) or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (n2= 32) stretching group. The SLR test was performed to measure the hamstring muscle’s flexibility and tightness between the two groups, with CROM and CVA also being measured. The paired t-test was used to compare all the variables within each group before and after the intervention. The independent t-test was used to compare the two groups before and after the stretching exercise. RESULTS: There were no between-group effects for any outcome variables (P> 0.05). However, all SLR, CVA, and CROM outcome variables were significantly improved within-group (P< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There were no between-group effects for any outcome variable; however, SLR, CVA, and CROM significantly improved within-group after the one-session intervention in neck pain patients with hamstring tightness.

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A Survey on Stretching Practices in Women and Men from Various Sports or Physical Activity Programs

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18083928 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (8) ◽

pp. 3928

Author(s):

Nicolas Babault ◽

Gaelyann Rodot ◽

Marrain Champelovier ◽

Carole Cometti

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Static Stretching ◽

Present Survey ◽

Warm Up ◽

Exercise Routine ◽

General Practices ◽

Physical Activity Programs ◽

General Aspects ◽

Stretching Exercises

Recommendations for prescribing stretching exercises are regularly updated. It appears that coaches progressively follow the published guidelines, but the real stretching practices of athletes are unknown. The present study aimed to investigate stretching practices in individuals from various sports or physical activity programs. A survey was completed online to determine some general aspects of stretching practices. The survey consisted of 32 multiple-choice or open-ended questions to illustrate the general practices of stretching, experiences and reasons for stretching. In total, 3546 questionnaires were analyzed (47.3% women and 52.7% men). Respondents practiced at the national/international level (25.2%), regional level (29.8%), or recreationally (44.9%). Most respondents (89.3%) used stretching for recovery (74.9%) or gains of flexibility (57.2%). Stretching was generally performed after training (72.4%). The respondents also indicated they performed stretching as a pre-exercise routine (for warm-up: 49.9%). Static stretching was primarily used (88.2%) but when applied for warm-up reasons, respondents mostly indicated performing dynamic stretching (86.2%). Only 37.1% of the respondents indicated being supervised. Finally, some gender and practice level differences were noticed. The present survey revealed that the stretching practices were only partly in agreement with recent evidence-based recommendations. The present survey also pointed out the need to improve the supervision of stretching exercises.

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The Acute Effects of Dynamic and Static Stretching on Tennis Serve Targeting Performance

Journal of Education and Training Studies ◽

10.11114/jets.v7i4.4058 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 123

Author(s):

Bulent Turna ◽

Asuman Sahan ◽

Bahar Yilmaz

Keyword(s):

Wilcoxon Test ◽

Static Stretching ◽

Acute Effects ◽

Warm Up ◽

Dynamic Stretching ◽

Paired Samples ◽

Tennis Serve ◽

Playing Time ◽

Homogeneous Data ◽

Stretching Exercises

The study investigates the acute effects of dynamic and static stretching on the tennis serve targeting performance of amateur tennis players. Twenty male athletes who were between the ages of 16-24 years and played tennis for at least 1 year (21.40±2.16 years, 181±0.06 cm, 71.85±7.42 kg, tennis playing time 1.55±0.88 years) voluntarily participated in the study.Prior to the pre-tests and after applying the traditional warm-up protocol, serve targeting test (STT) was applied to all participants. In the post-tests, STT was used after applying three different warm-up methods on three different days (48-hour rest interval). The warm-up stages included No Treatment (NT) (jogging, rally), Static Stretching (SS) and Dynamic Stretching (DS).In the statistical analysis, the homogeneity of the data was investigated using the Shapiro Wilk test. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare the pre-test and post-test results of the non-homogeneous data; Friedman test was used to compare the three different stretching methods with each other; in the paired comparisons of the groups, the paired samples t-test was used for the homogenous data and Wilcoxon test was used for the non-homogeneous data. In conclusion, stretching exercises before serving increased the serve targeting performance and the increase in the dynamic stretching exercises was higher than that in static stretching exercises.

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