Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2016; 37(03): 239-244
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1548946
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Stretching Effects: High-intensity & Moderate-duration vs. Low-intensity & Long-duration

S. R. Freitas
1   Faculdade de Motricidade Humana – Universidade de Lisboa, Desporto e Saúde, Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
,
J. R. Vaz
2   Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Laboratory of Motor Behavior, Lisboa, Portugal
,
P. M. Bruno
1   Faculdade de Motricidade Humana – Universidade de Lisboa, Desporto e Saúde, Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
,
R. Andrade
1   Faculdade de Motricidade Humana – Universidade de Lisboa, Desporto e Saúde, Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
,
P. Mil-Homens
1   Faculdade de Motricidade Humana – Universidade de Lisboa, Desporto e Saúde, Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 18 March 2015

Publication Date:
23 December 2015 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

This study examined whether a high-intensity, moderate-duration bout of stretching would produce the same acute effects as a low-intensity, long-duration bout of stretching. 17 volunteers performed 2 knee-flexor stretching protocols: a high-intensity stretch (i. e., 100% of maximum tolerable passive torque) with a moderate duration (243.5±69.5-s); and a low-intensity stretch (50% of tolerable passive torque) with a long duration (900-s). Passive torque at a given sub-maximal angle, peak passive torque, maximal range of motion (ROM), and muscle activity were assessed before and after each stretching protocol (at intervals of 1, 30 and 60 min). The maximal ROM and tolerable passive torque increased for all time points following the high-intensity stretching (p<0.05), but not after the low-intensity protocol (p>0.05). 1 min post-stretching, the passive torque decreased in both protocols, but to a greater extent in the low-intensity protocol. 30 min post-test, torque returned to baseline for the low-intensity protocol and had increased above the baseline for the high-intensity stretches. The following can be concluded: 1) High-intensity stretching increases the maximal ROM and peak passive torque compared to low-intensity stretching; 2) low-intensity, long-duration stretching is the best way to acutely decrease passive torque; and 3) high-intensity, moderate-duration stretching increases passive torque above the baseline 30 min after stretching.

Key words

flexibility - hamstring - knee - passive torque-angle - stiffness
 

  • References

  • 1 Abbelaneda S, Guissard N, Duchateau J. Changes in muscle-tendon characteristics during stretching with the “contract-relax” method. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin 2007; Supplement 153-154
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Abellaneda S, Guissard N, Duchateau J. The relative lengthening of the myotendinous structures in the medial gastrocnemius during passive stretching differs among individuals. J Appl Physiol 2009; 106: 169-177
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Avela J, Kyrolainen H, Komi PV. Altered reflex sensitivity after repeated and prolonged passive muscle stretch. J Appl Physiol 1999; 86: 1283-1291
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Dempsey A, Branch T, Mills T, Karsch RM. High-intensity mechanical therapy for loss of knee extension for worker’s compensation and non-compensation patients. Sports Med Arthrosc Rehabil Ther Technol 2010; 12: 2-6
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Freitas S, Vaz J, Bruno P, Valamatos MJ, Mil-Homens P. Comparison of different knee extension passive torque-angle assessments. Physiol Meas 2013; 34: 1483-1498
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Freitas SR, Vaz JR, Bruno PM, Valamatos MJ, Andrade RJ, Mil-Homens P. Are Rest Intervals Between Stretching Repetitions Effective to Acutely Increase Range of Motion?. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2014; in press
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. Ethical standards in sport and exercise science research: 2014 update. Int J Sports Med 2013; 34: 1025-1028
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Hermens H, Freriks B, Disselhorst-Klug C, Rau G. Development of recommendations for SEMG sensors and sensor placement procedures. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2000; 10: 361-374
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Hoge K, Ryan E, Costa P, Herda TJ, Walter AA, Stout JR, Cramer JT. Gender differences in musculotendinous stiffness and range of motion after an acute bout of stretching. J Strength Cond Res 2010; 24: 2618-2626
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Jacobs CA, Sciascia AD. Factors that influence the efficacy of stretching programs for patients with hypomobility. Sports Health 2011; 3: 520-523
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Kay AD, Blazevich AJ. Moderate-duration static stretch reduces active and passive plantar flexor moment but not Achilles tendon stiffness or active muscle length. J Appl Physiol 2009; 106: 1249-1256
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Kubo K, Kanehisa H, Fukunaga T. Gender differences in the viscoelastic properties of tendon structures. Eur J Appl Physiol 2003; 88: 520-526
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Light K, Nuzik S, Personius W, Barstrom A. Low-load prolonged stretch vs. high-load brief stretch in treating knee contractures. Phys Ther 1984; 64: 330-333
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Lu Y, Parker K, Wang W. Effects of osmotic pressure in the extracellular matrix on tissue deformation. Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci 2006; 364: 1407-1422
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Magnusson SP, Simonsen EB, Aagaard P, Kjaer M. Biomechanical responses to repeated stretches in human hamstring muscle in vivo. Am J Sports Med 1996; 24: 622-628
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 McClure P, Blackburn L, Dusold C. The use of splints in the treatment of joint stiffness: biologic rationale and an algorithm for making clinical decisions. Phys Ther 1994; 74: 1101-1107
    Google Scholar
  • 17 Mizuno T, Matsumoto M, Umemura Y. Decrements in stiffness are restored within 10 min. Int J Sports Med 2013; 34: 484-490
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Mizuno T, Matsumoto M, Umemura Y. Viscoelasticity of the muscle-tendon unit is returned more rapidly than range of motion after stretching. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2013; 23: 23-30
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Moriyama H, Tobimatsu Y, Ozawa J, Kito N, Tanaka R. Amount of torque and duration of stretching affects correction of knee contracture in a rat model of spinal cord injury. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2013; 471: 3626-3636
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Morse CI, Degens H, Seynnes OR, Maganaris CN, Jones DA. The acute effect of stretching on the passive stiffness of the human gastrocnemius muscle tendon unit. J Physiol 2008; 586: 97-106
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Mueller MJ, Maluf KS. Tissue adaptation to physical stress: a proposed “Physical Stress Theory” to guide physical therapist practice, education, and research. Phys Ther 2002; 82: 383-403
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Nakamura M, Ikezoe T, Takeno Y, Ichihashi N. Time course of changes in passive properties of the gastrocnemius muscle-tendon unit during 5 min of static stretching. Manual Ther 2013; 18: 211-215
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Ryan ED, Beck TW, Herda TJ, Hull HR, Hartman MJ, Costa PB, Defreitas JM, Stout JR, Cramer JT. The time course of musculotendinous stiffness responses following different durations of passive stretching. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2008; 38: 632-639
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Schleip R, Duerselen L, Vleeming A, Naylor IL, Lehmann-Horn F, Zorn A, Jaeger H, Klingler W. Strain hardening of fascia: static stretching of dense fibrous connective tissues can induce a temporary stiffness increase accompanied by enhanced matrix hydration. J Bodyw Mov Ther 2012; 16: 94-100
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Smith LL, Brunetz MH, Chenier TC, McMammon MR, Houmard JA, Franklin ME, Israel RG. The effects of static and ballistic stretching on delayed onset muscle soreness and creatine kinase. Res Q Exerc Sport 1993; 64: 103-107
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Steffen T, Mollinger L. Low-load, prolonged stretch in the treatment of knee flexion contractures in nursing home residents. Phys Ther 1995; 75: 886-895
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Usuba M, Akai M, Shirasaki Y, Miyakawa S. Experimental joint contracture correction with low torque-long duration repeated stretching. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2007; 456: 70-78
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Walter J, Figoni SF, Andres FF, Brown E. Training intensity and duration in flexibility. Clin Kinesiol 1996; 50: 40-45
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Whitehead N, Morgan D, Gregory J, Proske U. Rises in whole muscle passive tension of mammalian muscle after eccentric contractions at different lengths. J Appl Physiol 2003; 95: 1224-1234
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar