Relationship between changes in passive properties and muscle strength after static stretching

Masatoshi Nakamura; Shigeru Sato; Ryosuke Kiyono; Kaoru Yahata; Riku Yoshida; Taizan Fukaya; Satoru Nishishita; Andreas Knorad

doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2021.09.012

Relationship between changes in passive properties and muscle strength after static stretching

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2021 Oct:28:535-539. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2021.09.012. Epub 2021 Sep 25.

Authors

Masatoshi Nakamura¹, Shigeru Sato², Ryosuke Kiyono², Kaoru Yahata², Riku Yoshida², Taizan Fukaya³, Satoru Nishishita⁴, Andreas Knorad⁵

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan; Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan. Electronic address: masatoshi-nakamura@nuhw.ac.jp.
² Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan.
³ Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan; Department of Rehabilitation, Kyoto Kujo Hospital, 10 Karahashirajoumoncho, Minami-ku, Kyoto, 601-8453, Japan.
⁴ Institute of Rehabilitation Science, Tokuyukai Medical Corporation, Osaka, Japan; Kansai Rehabilitation Hospital, Tokuyukai Medical Corporation, Osaka, Japan.
⁵ Institute of Human Movement Science, Sport and Health, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.

PMID: 34776191
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2021.09.012

Abstract

Background: The association between decreased muscle strength of rate of force development (RFD) immediately after static stretching (SS) and change in muscle stiffness or muscle slack has remained unclear.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between changes in muscle strength and RFD and muscle stiffness or muscle slack immediately after SS.

Methods: Sixteen healthy male non-athlete volunteers participated in this study. The maximal voluntary contraction torque and shear elastic modulus of medial gastrocnemius muscle were measured before and after 300 s of SS intervention.

Results: The results showed that maximal voluntary contraction torque and RFD at 100, 150, and 200 ms decreased significantly after the 300-s SS (p < 0.01). Additionally, shear elastic modulus at 0° (decrease in muscle stiffness) and slack angle decreased (increase in slack length) significantly after the 300-second SS (p < 0.01). However, no significant association was observed between changes in muscle strength and changes in mechanical properties of the MG.

Conclusion: These results suggested that the decrease in muscle strength and RFD could not be associated with changes in the passive mechanical properties of the medial gastrocnemius muscle.

Keywords: Plantar flexor; Rate of force development; Shear wave elastography; Slack length; Ultrasound.

MeSH terms

Elasticity Imaging Techniques*
Humans
Male
Muscle Strength
Muscle Stretching Exercises*
Muscle, Skeletal
Range of Motion, Articular
Torque