Effect of acute static stretching on the passive mechanical properties of the Achilles tendon: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background/Aims Little is known about the effectiveness of static stretching on the tendinous structures. The aim of this study was to verify the effect of acute static stretching on the passive mechanical properties of the Achilles tendon. Methods Databases were searched with the descriptors ‘muscle stretching exercises,’ ‘adult’ and ‘Achilles tendon’ with a sample consisting of physically active young adults. Two blind reviewers performed the review. Results A total of four studies were selected. After the meta-analysis, no significant difference was observed for range of motion (−0.73; 95% confidence interval −2.18–0.71; I2=0%), muscle-tendon unit (−0.02; 95% confidence interval −0.23–0.19; I2= 83%), muscle (−0.43; 95% confidence interval −0.92–0.06; I2= 0%) and tendon stiffness (3.70; 95% confidence interval 1.57–5,83; I2=0%; P=0.0007) and passive torque (−1.35; 95% confidence interval −4.75–2.05; I2= 0%). Maximum voluntary isometric contraction showed an alteration with a longer stretching time (1215 seconds). Conclusions Passive static stretching (60–1215 seconds) does not significantly alter the analysed variables.

Revisión bibliográfica sobre la eficacia del ejercicio excéntrico como tratamiento para la tendinopatía del tendón de Aquiles

Introducción: las tendinopatías son consecuencia de cargas excesivas en el tendón, por lo que son frecuentes en el ámbito laboral debido a movimientos repetitivos y posturas forzadas. La tendinopatía de Aquiles se caracteriza por una respuesta de curación desorganizada, asociada a cierto grado de neovascularización, siendo el tratamiento conservador la estrategia inicial. Objetivos realizar una revisión bibliográfica para analizr la efectividad de los tratamientos utilizados en la tendinopatía aquilea a partir de los estudios incluidos. Material y métodos: revisión bibliográfica de artículos científicos consultando las bases de datos PubMed y The Cochrane Library utilizando las palabras clave “((tendinopathy) AND (Achilles Tendon) AND (exercise OR exercise therapy OR Muscle Stretching Exercises OR physical therapy modalities OR rehabilitation))”. Resultados: Se obtuvieron 635 refrencias en Pubmed y 134 en Cochrane Library, de los cuales 14 cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Los estudios seleccionados mostraron que, en general, los ejercicios excéntricos son una terapia efectiva aplicada entre 6 y 12 semanas en la tendinopatía de Aquiles, sin combinar o combinada con la plataforma de vibración, complementos nutricionales, tratamiento de tejidos blandos, terapia de láser o terapia de ondas de choque. Conclusión: la revisión muestra que el ejercicio excéntrico presenta los mejores resultados en el tratamiento de la tendinopatía aquilea.

Influence of stretching exercises in musculoskeletal pain in nursing professionals

Introduction: Nursing professionals (NPs) experience musculoskeletal pain that leads them to leave work. Objective: To analyze the effects of muscle stretching exercises (MSE) on pain among NPs. Method: This is a randomized controlled parallel experiment, in which 28 NPs (7 men and 21 women) were allocated into experimental (EG, n = 15; 47.4 years ± 9.5) and control (CG, n = 13; 39.15 years ± 9.6) groups. MSEs were performed for two months, three days a week, 40 min per session. A visual numeric scale was used, for which the intensity ranged from 0 (no pain) to 10 (maximum pain). The research was registered at the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry website (TRIAL: RBR- 8chg6q). For statistics, the Shapiro-Wilk, T-independent and two-way ANOVA tests were applied for repeated measures with Tukey’s post-hoc test (P ≤ 0.05). Results: Most NPs work on weekends (68%) and/or have other professional activities (60.7%); 42.9% had to miss work at least once in the year prior to the survey and 66.7% of those were due to medical reasons; 42.9% work more than 10 hours/day. Of the NPs, 89.3% of the volunteers in both groups lived daily with pain in some region of the body. Pain decreased after the MSE program was initiated in the EG (p = 0.001) and differed from the CG (p = 0.002). Conclusion: MSEs were beneficial for pain reduction in NPs.

Short-term changes of the static stretching, electromyoestimulation and whole-body vibration on the flexibility of hamstrings

Aim. The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effects of the static stretching (SS), neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NEMS), wholebody vibration (WBV) and the combination of all these protocols (WBV+NEMS) on the flexibility of hamstrings. Methods. Fifteen males received four stretching protocols in a crossover design, one protocol per week: static stretching (SS); stretching with superimposed NEMS; stretching combined with WBV; and stretching with superimposed NEMS combined with WBV (WBV+NEMS). All protocols lasted one minute. The flexibility was assessed by both the Back Saver Sit and Reach (BSSR) and the Active Knee Extension (AKE) test. Flexibility measurements were performed before (baseline), immediately after the protocol (post) and 1, 3, 5 and 10 min post protocol. Outcomes. The BSSR at post was greater than the baseline value for NEMS (18.3%, p<0.001), WBV (10.1%, p<0.05), and WBV+NMES (14.9%, p<0.01). Ten minutes after the application of each protocol the BSSR was higher in respect to baseline value for SS (12.0%, p<0.001), NMES (18.8%, p<0.001), WBV (12.7%, p<0.01), and WBV+NEMS (13.6%, p<0.001). All protocols improved AKE in the same way. Conclusion. Our data indicates that SS, NEMS, WBV and the combination of both methods are effective to improve the flexibility of hamstrings. Furthermore, this improvement may be maintained for at least 10 min after the cessation of the exercise, irrespectively of the stretching protocol. Key words: Muscle stretching exercises, proprioception, training, electric stimulation, vibration.

Possibilities for a Positive Change in the Body Image of Students in Dance-Motor Training

This article presents a study on the effectiveness evaluation of the author’s program of dance-motor training aimed at developing a positive image of the physical self in adolescence. The authors used a comprehensive approach to assess the effectiveness of training: the types of psychological problems, the characteristics of the image of the physical self, and the functional state of the participants in the training were monitored. The study involved 96 students from Nizhny Novgorod universities aging from 18 to 25. The researchers used the methods of the drawing test ‘Human figure’ (K. Mahover, F. Gudinaf); the test of twenty statements ‘Who Am I’ (M. Kun, T. McPartland); and the method of computer campimetry for assessing the functionalstate of the body by the function of color-diffusion (SA Polevaya). The self-body image of the subjects in the experiment was characterized by weak integration and awareness; negative and disharmonious deep self-esteem; low values of awareness of one’s own uniqueness; and the maximum limit of the green color was detected in more than half of the subjects (61.45%). Dance-motor training was based on themethodological principles of the integrative-holistic and syndrome-factor approach to mental disorders, developed by A.R. Luria. The development of the psychomotor sphere of a personality was considered as a trigger mechanism for restoring the interaction between the psychological and physiological sub-systems of mental activity. The dependence of the content and structure of mental processes on sociocultural experience (i.e., world artistic culture) was actualized. The mechanism of the regulating role of an image and speech in building the movement has become more active. Dance-motor trainings with students were conducted over the course of a year. We used methods of body-oriented psychotherapy, vegetotherapy, and dance-motor therapy, including contact improvisation. The dance-motor training included warm-ups (aerobic and anaerobic exercises, muscle-stretching exercises); the thematic study of muscle clamps; and choreographic performances (learning movement stereotypes, free and contact improvisation). In the control experiment, a statistically significant conjugate dynamics was observed for the majority of the studied parameters (0.001). Keywords: body image, dance-motor training, students

Guia prático de excercícios de alongamento como promotor de autonômia em um grupo de mulheres / Promoting autonomy in a group of women with a practical guide to stretching

A Terapia Ocupacional desenvolve sua prática e estudo sobre as atividades humanas com a utilização de recursos e instrumentos terapêuticos, que podem beneficiar o processo de envelhecimento. Nesse sentido, o estudo visou reconhecer e descrever a percepção de mulheres com idade entre 40 e 60 anos de idade, participantes de um grupo de Terapia Ocupacional, quanto às repercussões da utilização de um Guia Prático de Alongamento, no desempenho das atividades cotidianas. Para tanto, realizou-se uma pesquisa qualitativa, exploratória e descritiva, por meio de Grupo Focal. Verificou-se que a utilização do Guia influenciou no controle da dor, na autonomia para realização de atividades de vida diária e na percepção do próprio corpo das participantes do estudo. Conclui-se que o Guia Prático de Alongamento é uma ferramenta simples, porém relevante para melhorar a consciência corporal, a autonomia e independência de indivíduos em processo de envelhecimento, sugerindo-o como um instrumento indicado para outras populações. AbstractOccupational Therapy carries out the practice and study of human activities by employing therapeutic resources and instruments, which can benefit the aging process. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify and describe the perception of women between the ages of 40 and 60 in an Occupational Therapy group regarding the effects of using a Practical Guide to Stretching on the performance of their daily activities. In that sense, a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive Focus Group research was carried out. It was verified that the use of the Practical Guide had an influence on participants' pain control, autonomy to perform daily activities and body perception. It was concluded that the Practical Guide to Stretching is a simple but relevant tool that helps aging individuals improve their body awareness, autonomy and independence. It is also a suitable tool for other populations.Keywords: Muscle Stretching Exercises; Qualitative Research; Occupational Therapy.