Using Long-Duration Static Stretch Training to Counteract Strength and Flexibility Deficits in Moderately Trained Participants

Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Authors

Many sports injuries result in surgery and prolonged periods of immobilization, which may lead to significant atrophy accompanied by loss of maximal strength and range of motion and, therefore, a weak-leg/strong-leg ratio (as an imbalance index ∆) lower than 1. Consequently, there are common rehabilitation programs that aim to enhance maximal strength, muscle thickness and flexibility; however, the literature demonstrates existing strength imbalances after weeks of rehabilitation. Since no study has previously been conducted to investigate the effects of long-duration static stretch training to treat muscular imbalances, the present research aims to determine the possibility of counteracting imbalances in maximal strength and range of motion. Thirty-nine athletic participants with significant calf muscle imbalances in maximal strength and range of motion were divided into an intervention group (one-hour daily plantar flexors static stretching of the weaker leg for six weeks) and a control group to evaluate the effects on maximal strength and range of motion with extended and bent knee joint. Results show significant increases in maximal strength (d = 0.84–1.61, p < 0.001–0.005) and range of motion (d = 0.92–1.49, p < 0.001–0.002) following six weeks of static stretching. Group * time effects (p < 0.001–0.004, η² = 0.22–0.55) revealed ∆ changes in the intervention group from 0.87 to 1.03 for maximal strength and from 0.92 to 1.11 in range of motion. The results provide evidence for the use of six weeks of daily, one hour stretching to counteract muscular imbalances. Related research in clinical settings after surgery is suggested.

Original languageEnglish
Article number13254
JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume19
Issue number20
ISSN1661-7827
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14.10.2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 by the authors.

    Research areas

  • flexibility, long-lasting stretching, maximal strength, maximal voluntary contraction, muscular imbalance, rehabilitation
  • Physical education and sports

Documents

DOI

Recently viewed

Publications

  1. Decisions And Characteristics During The Development Process Of A Software Demonstrator For Data Analysis In Production Logistics
  2. One tool to rule? – A field experimental longitudinal study on the costs and benefits of mobile device usage in public agencies
  3. Discrete Lyapunov Controllers for an Actuator in Camless Engines
  4. Proxy Indicators for the Quality of Open-domain Dialogues
  5. Tree diversity alters the structure of a tri-trophic network in a biodiversity experiment
  6. Time Use Research and Time Use Data
  7. Exploring the dark and unexpected sides of digitalization
  8. Using Reading Strategy Training to Foster Students´ Mathematical Modelling Competencies
  9. Consequences of extreme weather events for developing countries based on the example of Mongolia
  10. Exploring the implications of the value concept for performance assessment of sustainable business models
  11. An introductional lecture on chaotic systems through Lorenz attractor and forced Lotka Volterra equation for interdisciplinary education
  12. Germination performance of native and non-native Ulmus pumila populations
  13. Optimization and Validation of an LC Method for the Determination of Cefdinir in Dosage Form and Human Urine
  14. Re-Thinking Tasks in Inclusive Science Education
  15. Congruence is not everything
  16. Credit constraints, idiosyncratic risks, and the wealth ditribution in a heterogeneous agent model
  17. RAWSim-O: A Simulation Framework for Robotic Mobile Fulfillment Systems
  18. Integrating multiple elements of environmental justice into urban blue space planning using public participation geographic information systems
  19. Repräsentation oder Gebrauchsort?