Stretching of active muscle elicits chronic changes in multiple strain risk factors
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
Publisher
Lippincott Williams and Wilkins / Wolters Kluwer
School
Centre for Exercise and Sports Science Research / School of Exercise and Health Sciences
RAS ID
21958
Abstract
Introduction The muscle stretch intensity imposed during "flexibility" training influences the magnitude of joint range of motion (ROM) adaptation. Thus, stretching while the muscle is voluntarily activated was hypothesized to provide a greater stimulus than passive stretching. The effect of a 6-wk program of stretch imposed on an isometrically contracting muscle (i.e., qualitatively similar to isokinetic eccentric training) on muscle-Tendon mechanics was therefore studied in 13 healthy human volunteers. Methods Before and after the training program, dorsiflexion ROM, passive joint moment, and maximal isometric plantarflexor moment were recorded on an isokinetic dynamometer. Simultaneous real-Time motion analysis and ultrasound imaging recorded gastrocnemius medialis muscle and Achilles tendon elongation. Training was performed twice weekly and consisted of five sets of 12 maximal isokinetic eccentric contractions at 10°·s-1. Results Significant increases (P < 0.01) in ROM (92.7% [14.7°]), peak passive moment (i.e., stretch tolerance; 136.2%), area under the passive moment curve (i.e., energy storage; 302.6%), and maximal isometric plantarflexor moment (51.3%) were observed after training. Although no change in the slope of the passive moment curve (muscle-Tendon stiffness) was detected (-1.5%, P > 0.05), a significant increase in tendon stiffness (31.2%, P < 0.01) and a decrease in passive muscle stiffness (-14.6%, P < 0.05) were observed. Conclusion The substantial positive adaptation in multiple functional and physiological variables that are cited within the primary etiology of muscle strain injury, including strength, ROM, muscle stiffness, and maximal energy storage, indicate that the stretching of active muscle might influence injury risk in addition to muscle function. The lack of change in muscle-Tendon stiffness simultaneous with significant increases in tendon stiffness and decreases in passive muscle stiffness indicates that tissue-specific effects were elicited. Copyright © 2016 by the American College of Sports Medicine. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
DOI
10.1249/MSS.0000000000000887
Access Rights
free_to_read
Comments
Kay, A. D., Richmond, D., Talbot, C., Mina, M. A., Baross, A. W., & Blazevich, A. J. (2016). Stretching of active muscle elicits chronic changes in multiple strain risk factors. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 48(7), 1388-1396. Available here