Neurophysiological mechanisms underpinning stretch-induced force loss

Authors/Creators

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

Abstract

It is well known that prolonged passive muscle stretch reduces maximal muscle force production. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that adaptations occurring within the nervous system play a major role in this stretch-induced force reduction. This article reviews the existing literature, and some new evidence, regarding acute neurophysiological changes in response to passive muscle stretching. We discuss the possible contribution of supra-spinal and spinal structures to the force reduction after passive muscle stretch. In summary, based on the recent evidence reviewed we propose a new hypothesis that a disfacilitation occurring at the motoneuronal level after passive muscle stretch is a major factor affecting the neural efferent drive to the muscle and, subsequently, its ability to produce maximal force.

RAS ID

23440

Document Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

2017

Location of the Work

New Zealand

School

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

Copyright

subscription content

Publisher

Springer International Publishing

Comments

Trajano, G. S., Nosaka, K., & Blazevich, A. J. (2017). Neurophysiological mechanisms underpinning stretch-induced force loss. Sports Medicine, 47(8), 1531-1541. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-017-0682-6

Recommended Citation

Trajano, G. S., Nosaka, K., & Blazevich, A. J. (2017). Neurophysiological mechanisms underpinning stretch-induced force loss. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-017-0682-6