Influence of Long-Lasting Static Stretching Intervention on Functional and Morphological Parameters in the Plantar Flexors: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Authors

Animal studies show that long-lasting stretching training can lead to significant hypertrophy and increases in maximal strength. Accordingly, previous human studies found significant improvements in maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), flexibility, and muscle thickness (MTh) using constant angle long-lasting stretching. It was hypothesized that long-lasting stretching with high intensity will lead to sufficient mechanical tension to induce muscle hypertrophy and maximal strength gains. This study examined muscle cross-sectional area (MCSA) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Therefore, 45 well-trained subjects (f: 17, m: 28, age: 27.7 ± 3.0 years, height: 180.8 ± 4.9 cm, mass: 80.4 ± 7.2 kg) were assigned to an intervention group (IG) that stretched the plantar flexors 6 × 10 minutes per day for 6 weeks or a control group (CG). Data analysis was performed using 2-way ANOVA. There was a significant Time × Group interaction in MVC (p < 0.001-0.019, 2 = 0.158-0.223), flexibility (p < 0.001, 2 = 0.338-0.446), MTh (p = 0.002-0.013, 2 = 0.125-0.172), and MCSA (p = 0.003-0.014, 2 = 0.143-0.197). Post hoc analysis showed significant increases in MVC (d = 0.64-0.76), flexibility (d = 0.85-1.12), MTh (d = 0.53-0.6), and MCSA (d = 0.16-0.3) in IG compared with CG, thus confirming previous results in well-trained subjects. Furthermore, this study improved the quality for the morphological examination by investigating both heads of the gastrocnemius with MRI and sonography. Because stretching can be used passively, an application in rehabilitation settings seems plausible, especially if no commonly used alternatives such as strength training are applicable.

Original languageEnglish
JournalThe Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Volume37
Issue number10
Pages (from-to)1993-2001
Number of pages9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.10.2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors thank all subjects for their time and effort. Furthermore, performing the comparatively large number of MRI scans was only possible due to the high level of commitment of Gülsen Yanc. Many thanks for carrying out the MRI scans at all requested times of day. This work was supported by the Neuroimaging Unit of the Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg which is funded by grants from the German Research Foundation (3T MRI INST 184/152-1 FUGG). Data availability statement: Original data can be provided upon reasonable request. The authors report that there are no competing interests to declare. The researchers have no financial interests.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 NSCA National Strength and Conditioning Association. All rights reserved.

    Research areas

  • Physical education and sports - long-lasting stretching, maximal strength, maximal voluntary contraction, muscle cross-sectional area, muscle thickness, range of motion

Recently viewed

Publications

  1. The link between in- and external rotation of the auditor and the quality of financial accounting and audit
  2. How to support students-learning in mathematical bridging-courses using ITS? Remedial Scenarios in the EU-Project Math-Bridge
  3. Second-order SMC with disturbance compensation for robust tracking control in PMSM applications
  4. Actuator- and/or sensor element for sleeve in medical field e.g. limb or joint fracture treatment, has nano-wires comprising nano-fibers, where element deforms and acquires dimensional change of nano-fibers via electrical signal
  5. Acceleration as process
  6. Using latent class analysis to produce a typology of environmental concern in the UK
  7. The Effectivity of Technological Innovation on Mitigating the Costs of Climate Change Policies
  8. Productive Transformations and Bilateralism in the Semi-Periphery
  9. The Influence of Tree Diversity on Natural Enemies—a Review of the “Enemies” Hypothesis in Forests
  10. Multimodality
  11. Assoggettamento/Soggettivazione
  12. Biomedical Entity Linking with Triple-aware Pre-Training
  13. Whose home is it anyway?
  14. Multiple
  15. Effects of gadolinium and neodymium addition on young’s modulus of magnesium-based binary alloys
  16. Double perspective taking processes of primary children - adoption and application of a psychological instrument
  17. Harnessing place attachment for local climate mitigation?
  18. Technology Development and Stakeholder Influence
  19. Relative and absolute scarcity of nature
  20. Measuring Work Ability with Its Antecedents
  21. Zuhause in der Mediengesellschaft
  22. Remotely sensed effectiveness assessments of protected areas lack a common framework
  23. Mining the Campus
  24. Development and Testing of Water-Filled Tube Systems for Flood Protection Measures
  25. Biomass energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS or Bio-CCS)
  26. Book review of Kang-Kwong Luke/Theodossia-Souala Pavlidou: Telephone Calls. Unity and Diversity in Conversational Structure across Languages and Cultures.
  27. Discussion Of Lot Sizing Approaches And Their Influence On Economic Production
  28. Absenteeism as a Reaction to Harmful Behavior in the Workplace from a Stress Theory Point of View
  29. Das Subjekt zwischen Identität und Differenz