Comparison of the effects of long-lasting static stretching and hypertrophy training on maximal strength, muscle thickness and flexibility in the plantar flexors

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Comparison of the effects of long-lasting static stretching and hypertrophy training on maximal strength, muscle thickness and flexibility in the plantar flexors. / Warneke, Konstantin; Wirth, Klaus; Keiner, Michael et al.
In: European Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol. 123, No. 8, 08.2023, p. 1773-1787.

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Warneke K, Wirth K, Keiner M, Lohmann LH, Hillebrecht M, Brinkmann A et al. Comparison of the effects of long-lasting static stretching and hypertrophy training on maximal strength, muscle thickness and flexibility in the plantar flexors. European Journal of Applied Physiology. 2023 Aug;123(8):1773-1787. Epub 2023 Apr 8. doi: 10.1007/s00421-023-05184-6

Bibtex

@article{18a61eeca89b4dd1b0538776994502ec,
title = "Comparison of the effects of long-lasting static stretching and hypertrophy training on maximal strength, muscle thickness and flexibility in the plantar flexors",
abstract = "Maximal strength measured via maximal voluntary contraction is known as a key factor in competitive sports performance as well as injury risk reduction and rehabilitation. Maximal strength and hypertrophy are commonly trained by performing resistance training programs. However, literature shows that long-term, long-lasting static stretching interventions can also produce significant improvements in maximal voluntary contraction. The aim of this study is to compare increases in maximal voluntary contraction, muscle thickness and flexibility after 6 weeks of stretch training and conventional hypertrophy training. Sixty-nine (69) active participants (f = 30, m = 39; age 27.4 ± 4.4 years, height 175.8 ± 2.1 cm, and weight 79.5 ± 5.9 kg) were divided into three groups: IG1 stretched the plantar flexors continuously for one hour per day, IG2 performed hypertrophy training for the plantar flexors (5 × 10–12 reps, three days per week), while CG did not undergo any intervention. Maximal voluntary contraction, muscle thickness, pennation angle and flexibility were the dependent variables. The results of a series of two-way ANOVAs show significant interaction effects (p < 0.05) for maximal voluntary contraction (ƞ2 = 0.143–0.32, p < 0.006), muscle thickness (ƞ2 = 0.11–0.14, p < 0.021), pennation angle (ƞ2 = 0.002–0.08, p = 0.077–0.625) and flexibility (ƞ2 = 0.089–0.21, p < 0.046) for both the stretch and hypertrophy training group without significant differences (p = 0.37–0.99, d = 0.03–0.4) between both intervention groups. Thus, it can be hypothesized that mechanical tension plays a crucial role in improving maximal voluntary contraction and muscle thickness irrespective whether long-lasting stretching or hypertrophy training is used. Results show that for the calf muscle, the use of long-lasting stretching interventions can be deemed an alternative to conventional resistance training if the aim is to increase maximal voluntary contraction, muscle thickness and flexibility. However, the practical application seems to be strongly limited as a weekly stretching duration of up to 7 h a week is opposed by 3 × 15 min of common resistance training.",
keywords = "Calf muscle, Maximum strength, Mechanical tension, Range of motion, Resistance training, Physical education and sports",
author = "Konstantin Warneke and Klaus Wirth and Michael Keiner and Lohmann, {Lars H.} and Martin Hillebrecht and Anna Brinkmann and Tim Wohlann and Stephan Schiemann",
note = "Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2023, The Author(s).",
year = "2023",
month = aug,
doi = "10.1007/s00421-023-05184-6",
language = "English",
volume = "123",
pages = "1773--1787",
journal = "European Journal of Applied Physiology",
issn = "1439-6319",
publisher = "Springer",
number = "8",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - Comparison of the effects of long-lasting static stretching and hypertrophy training on maximal strength, muscle thickness and flexibility in the plantar flexors

AU - Warneke, Konstantin

AU - Wirth, Klaus

AU - Keiner, Michael

AU - Lohmann, Lars H.

AU - Hillebrecht, Martin

AU - Brinkmann, Anna

AU - Wohlann, Tim

AU - Schiemann, Stephan

N1 - Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL. Publisher Copyright: © 2023, The Author(s).

PY - 2023/8

Y1 - 2023/8

N2 - Maximal strength measured via maximal voluntary contraction is known as a key factor in competitive sports performance as well as injury risk reduction and rehabilitation. Maximal strength and hypertrophy are commonly trained by performing resistance training programs. However, literature shows that long-term, long-lasting static stretching interventions can also produce significant improvements in maximal voluntary contraction. The aim of this study is to compare increases in maximal voluntary contraction, muscle thickness and flexibility after 6 weeks of stretch training and conventional hypertrophy training. Sixty-nine (69) active participants (f = 30, m = 39; age 27.4 ± 4.4 years, height 175.8 ± 2.1 cm, and weight 79.5 ± 5.9 kg) were divided into three groups: IG1 stretched the plantar flexors continuously for one hour per day, IG2 performed hypertrophy training for the plantar flexors (5 × 10–12 reps, three days per week), while CG did not undergo any intervention. Maximal voluntary contraction, muscle thickness, pennation angle and flexibility were the dependent variables. The results of a series of two-way ANOVAs show significant interaction effects (p < 0.05) for maximal voluntary contraction (ƞ2 = 0.143–0.32, p < 0.006), muscle thickness (ƞ2 = 0.11–0.14, p < 0.021), pennation angle (ƞ2 = 0.002–0.08, p = 0.077–0.625) and flexibility (ƞ2 = 0.089–0.21, p < 0.046) for both the stretch and hypertrophy training group without significant differences (p = 0.37–0.99, d = 0.03–0.4) between both intervention groups. Thus, it can be hypothesized that mechanical tension plays a crucial role in improving maximal voluntary contraction and muscle thickness irrespective whether long-lasting stretching or hypertrophy training is used. Results show that for the calf muscle, the use of long-lasting stretching interventions can be deemed an alternative to conventional resistance training if the aim is to increase maximal voluntary contraction, muscle thickness and flexibility. However, the practical application seems to be strongly limited as a weekly stretching duration of up to 7 h a week is opposed by 3 × 15 min of common resistance training.

AB - Maximal strength measured via maximal voluntary contraction is known as a key factor in competitive sports performance as well as injury risk reduction and rehabilitation. Maximal strength and hypertrophy are commonly trained by performing resistance training programs. However, literature shows that long-term, long-lasting static stretching interventions can also produce significant improvements in maximal voluntary contraction. The aim of this study is to compare increases in maximal voluntary contraction, muscle thickness and flexibility after 6 weeks of stretch training and conventional hypertrophy training. Sixty-nine (69) active participants (f = 30, m = 39; age 27.4 ± 4.4 years, height 175.8 ± 2.1 cm, and weight 79.5 ± 5.9 kg) were divided into three groups: IG1 stretched the plantar flexors continuously for one hour per day, IG2 performed hypertrophy training for the plantar flexors (5 × 10–12 reps, three days per week), while CG did not undergo any intervention. Maximal voluntary contraction, muscle thickness, pennation angle and flexibility were the dependent variables. The results of a series of two-way ANOVAs show significant interaction effects (p < 0.05) for maximal voluntary contraction (ƞ2 = 0.143–0.32, p < 0.006), muscle thickness (ƞ2 = 0.11–0.14, p < 0.021), pennation angle (ƞ2 = 0.002–0.08, p = 0.077–0.625) and flexibility (ƞ2 = 0.089–0.21, p < 0.046) for both the stretch and hypertrophy training group without significant differences (p = 0.37–0.99, d = 0.03–0.4) between both intervention groups. Thus, it can be hypothesized that mechanical tension plays a crucial role in improving maximal voluntary contraction and muscle thickness irrespective whether long-lasting stretching or hypertrophy training is used. Results show that for the calf muscle, the use of long-lasting stretching interventions can be deemed an alternative to conventional resistance training if the aim is to increase maximal voluntary contraction, muscle thickness and flexibility. However, the practical application seems to be strongly limited as a weekly stretching duration of up to 7 h a week is opposed by 3 × 15 min of common resistance training.

KW - Calf muscle

KW - Maximum strength

KW - Mechanical tension

KW - Range of motion

KW - Resistance training

KW - Physical education and sports

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85151949400&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/0ce09346-ed0e-370c-9285-37c4bf128067/

U2 - 10.1007/s00421-023-05184-6

DO - 10.1007/s00421-023-05184-6

M3 - Journal articles

C2 - 37029826

AN - SCOPUS:85151949400

VL - 123

SP - 1773

EP - 1787

JO - European Journal of Applied Physiology

JF - European Journal of Applied Physiology

SN - 1439-6319

IS - 8

ER -