Abstract
Background
It is known that static stretching is an appropriate means of increasing the range
of motion, but information in the literature about the mechanical adaptation of the
muscle–tendon unit is scarce. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate
the influence of a six-week static stretching training program on the structural and
functional parameters of the human gastrocnemius medialis muscle and the Achilles
tendon.
Methods
A total of 49 volunteers were randomly assigned into static stretching and control
groups. Before and following the stretching intervention, we determined the maximum
dorsiflexion range of motion with the corresponding fascicle length and pennation
angle. Passive resistive torque and maximum voluntary contraction were measured with
a dynamometer. Muscle–tendon junction displacement allowed us to determine the length
changes in tendon and muscle, and hence to calculate stiffness. Fascicle length, pennation
angle, and muscle tendon junction displacement were measured with ultrasound.
Findings
Mean range of motion increased significantly from 30.9 (5.3) to 36.3 (6.1) in the
intervention group, but other functional (passive resistive torque, maximum voluntary
contraction) and structural (fascicle length, pennation angle, muscle stiffness, tendon
stiffness) parameters were unaltered.
Interpretation
The increased range of motion could not be explained by the structural changes in
the muscle–tendon unit, and was likely due to increased stretch tolerance possibly
due to adaptations of nociceptive nerve endings.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 09, 2014
Accepted:
April 28,
2014
Received:
January 23,
2014
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
