Static stretching reduces motoneuron excitability: The potential role of neuromodulation

Authors

Gabriel S. Trajano
Anthony J. Blazevich, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews

Volume

49

Issue

2

First Page

126

Last Page

132

PubMed ID

33720913

Publisher

Wolters Kluwer

School

School of Medical and Health Sciences / Centre for Exercise and Sports Science Research

RAS ID

35521

Comments

Trajano, G. S., & Blazevich, A. J. (2021). Static stretching reduces motoneuron excitability: The potential role of neuromodulation. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 49(2), 126-132. https://doi.org/10.1249/JES.0000000000000243

Abstract

Prolonged static muscle stretching transiently reduces maximal muscle force, and this force loss has a strong neural component. In this review, we discuss the evidence suggesting that stretching reduces the motoneuron's ability to amplify excitatory drive. We propose a hypothetical model in which stretching causes physiological relaxation, reducing the brainstem-derived neuromodulatory drive necessary to maximize motoneuron discharge rates.

DOI

10.1249/JES.0000000000000243

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