Time Course of Changes in the Range of Motion and Muscle-tendon Unit Stiffness of the Hamstrings After Two Different Intensities of Static Stretching

Overview

Journal PLoS One

Specialties General Medicine
Science

Date 2021 Sep 14

PMID 34520498

Citations 10

Authors

Kosuke Takeuchi

Kazunori Akizuki

Masatoshi Nakamura

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the time course of changes in the range of motion and muscle-tendon unit stiffness of the hamstrings after two different intensities of static stretching.

Methods: Fourteen healthy men (20.9 ± 0.7 years, 169.1 ± 7.5cm, 61.6 ± 6.5kg) received static stretching for 60 seconds at two different intensities based on the point of discomfort (100%POD and 120%POD) of each participant, in random order. To evaluate the time course of changes in the flexibility of the hamstrings, the knee extension range of motion (ROM), passive torque at end ROM, and muscle-tendon unit stiffness were measured pre-stretching, post-stretching, and at both 10 and 20 minutes after static stretching.

Results: For both intensities, ROM and passive torque at pre-stretching were significantly smaller than those at post-stretching (p < 0.01 in both intensities), 10 minutes (p < 0.01 in both intensities), and 20 minutes (p < 0.01 in both intensities). The muscle-tendon unit stiffness at pre-stretching was significantly higher than that at post-stretching (p < 0.01), 10 minutes (p < 0.01), and 20 minutes (p < 0.01) only in the 120%POD, but it showed no change in the 100%POD.

Conclusion: The results showed that ROM and passive torque increased in both intensities, and the effects continued for at least 20 minutes after stretching regardless of stretching intensity. However, the muscle-tendon unit stiffness of the hamstrings decreased only after static stretching at the intensity of 120%POD, and the effects continued for at least 20 minutes after stretching.

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Acute and Long-Term Effects of Static Stretching on Muscle-Tendon Unit Stiffness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

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Acute Effects of Different Intensity and Duration of Static Stretching on the Muscle-Tendon Unit Stiffness of the Hamstrings.

Takeuchi K, Akizuki K, Nakamura M J Sports Sci Med. 2022; 21(4):528-535.

PMID: 36523898 PMC: 9741716. DOI: 10.52082/jssm.2022.528.

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