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Thomas E, Ficarra S, Nunes JP, Paoli A, Bellafiore M, Palma A, Bianco A. Does Stretching Training Influence Muscular Strength? A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression. J Strength Cond Res 2022; 37:1145-1156. [PMID: 36525533 DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000004400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Thomas, E, Ficarra, S, Nunes, JP, Paoli, A, Bellafiore, M, Palma, A, and Bianco, A. Does stretching training influence muscular strength? A systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression. J Strength Cond Res 37(5): 1145-1156, 2023-The aim of this study was to review articles that performed stretching training and evaluated the effects on muscular strength. Literature search was performed using 3 databases. Studies were included if they compared the effects on strength following stretching training vs. a nontraining control group or stretching training combined with resistance training (RT) vs. an RT-only group, after at least 4 weeks of intervention. The meta-analyses were performed using a random-effect model with Hedges' g effect size (ES). A total of 35 studies ( n = 1,179 subjects) were included in this review. The interventions lasted for a mean period of 8 weeks (range, 4-24 weeks), 3-4 days per week, applying approximately 4 sets of stretching of approximately 1-minute duration. The meta-analysis for the stretching vs. nontraining control group showed a significant small effect on improving dynamic (k = 14; ES = 0.33; p = 0.007) but not isometric strength (k = 8; ES = 0.10; p = 0.377), following static stretching programs (k = 17; ES = 0.28; p = 0.006). When stretching was added to RT interventions, the main analysis indicated no significant effect (k = 17; ES = -0.15; p = 0.136); however, moderator analysis indicated that performing stretching before RT sessions has a small but negative effect (k = 7; ES = -0.43; p = 0.014); the meta-regression revealed a significant negative association with study length (β = -0.100; p = 0.004). Chronic static stretching programs increase dynamic muscular strength to a small magnitude. Performing stretching before RT and for a prolonged time (>8 weeks) can blunt the strength gains to a small-to-moderate magnitude. Performing stretching in sessions distant from RT sessions might be a strategy to not hinder strength development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewan Thomas
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatore Ficarra
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - João Pedro Nunes
- Metabolism, Nutrition, and Exercise Laboratory, Physical Education and Sport Center, Londrina State University, Londrina, Brazil; and
| | - Antonio Paoli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Marianna Bellafiore
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonio Palma
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonino Bianco
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Schumacher C, Seyfarth A. Sensor-Motor Maps for Describing Linear Reflex Composition in Hopping. Front Comput Neurosci 2017; 11:108. [PMID: 29230172 PMCID: PMC5707192 DOI: 10.3389/fncom.2017.00108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2016] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In human and animal motor control several sensory organs contribute to a network of sensory pathways modulating the motion depending on the task and the phase of execution to generate daily motor tasks such as locomotion. To better understand the individual and joint contribution of reflex pathways in locomotor tasks, we developed a neuromuscular model that describes hopping movements. In this model, we consider the influence of proprioceptive length (LFB), velocity (VFB) and force feedback (FFB) pathways of a leg extensor muscle on hopping stability, performance and efficiency (metabolic effort). Therefore, we explore the space describing the blending of the monosynaptic reflex pathway gains. We call this reflex parameter space a sensor-motor map. The sensor-motor maps are used to visualize the functional contribution of sensory pathways in multisensory integration. We further evaluate the robustness of these sensor-motor maps to changes in tendon elasticity, body mass, segment length and ground compliance. The model predicted that different reflex pathway compositions selectively optimize specific hopping characteristics (e.g., performance and efficiency). Both FFB and LFB were pathways that enable hopping. FFB resulted in the largest hopping heights, LFB enhanced hopping efficiency and VFB had the ability to disable hopping. For the tested case, the topology of the sensor-motor maps as well as the location of functionally optimal compositions were invariant to changes in system designs (tendon elasticity, body mass, segment length) or environmental parameters (ground compliance). Our results indicate that different feedback pathway compositions may serve different functional roles. The topology of the sensor-motor map was predicted to be robust against changes in the mechanical system design indicating that the reflex system can use different morphological designs, which does not apply for most robotic systems (for which the control often follows a specific design). Consequently, variations in body mechanics are permitted with consistent compositions of sensory feedback pathways. Given the variability in human body morphology, such variations are highly relevant for human motor control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Schumacher
- Lauflabor Locomotion Laboratory, Centre for Cognitive Science, Institute of Sport Science, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - André Seyfarth
- Lauflabor Locomotion Laboratory, Centre for Cognitive Science, Institute of Sport Science, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
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Medeiros DM, Lima CS. Influence of chronic stretching on muscle performance: Systematic review. Hum Mov Sci 2017; 54:220-229. [PMID: 28527424 DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2017.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Revised: 05/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the current study was to investigate the influence of chronic stretching on muscle performance (MP) by a systematic review. The search strategy included MEDLINE, PEDro, Cochrane CENTRAL, LILACS, and manual search from inception to June 2016. Randomized and controlled clinical trials, non-randomized, and single group studies that have analyzed the influence of flexibility training (FT) (using any stretching technique) on MP were included. Differently, studies with special populations (children, elderly, and people with any dysfunction/disease), and articles that have used FT protocols shorter than three weeks or 12 sessions were excluded. The MP assessment could have been performed by functional tests (e.g. jump, sprint, stretch-shortening cycle tasks), isometric contractions, and/or isotonic contractions. Twenty-eight studies were included out of 513. Seven studies evaluated MP by stretch-shortening cycle tasks, Ten studies evaluated MP by isometric contractions, and 13 studies assessed MP by isotonic contractions. We were unable to perform a meta-analysis due to the high heterogeneity among the included studies. In an individual study level analysis, we identified that 14 studies found positive effects of chronic stretching on MP. The improvements were observed only in functional tests and isotonic contractions, isometric contractions were not affected by FT. Therefore, FT might have an influence on dynamic MP. However, more studies are necessary to confirm whether FT can positively affect MP.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Medeiros
- Exercise Laboratory Research, School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy, and Dance, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - C S Lima
- Exercise Laboratory Research, School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy, and Dance, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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Kubo K, Miyazaki D, Shimoju S, Tsunoda N. Relationship between elastic properties of tendon structures and performance in long distance runners. Eur J Appl Physiol 2015; 115:1725-33. [PMID: 25813019 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-015-3156-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between running performance (best official record in a 5000 m race) and elastic properties of tendon structures in knee extensors and plantar flexors among a large population of long distance runners. METHODS Sixty-four highly trained male long distance runners participated in this study. Elongation of tendon structures in the knee extensors and plantar flexors was measured using ultrasonography while subjects performed ramp isometric contractions up to the voluntary maximum. The relationship between the estimated muscle force and tendon elongation was fit to a linear regression, the slope of which was defined as the stiffness of the tendon structures. Muscle and tendon thicknesses were also measured in the knee extensors and plantar flexors using ultrasonography. RESULTS The best official record in a 5000 m race was negatively correlated to the stiffness of the tendon structures in the knee extensors (r = -0.341, p < 0.01), whereas it was positively correlated to the stiffness of the tendon structures in the plantar flexors (r = 0.414, p < 0.001). In both the knee extensors and plantar flexors, the other measured variables of muscle and tendon structures did not correlate with the best official record in a 5000 m race. CONCLUSION These results suggested that better long distance runners had stiffer tendon structures in the knee extensors and more compliant ones in the plantar flexors. These results implied that tendon structures in knee extensors and plantar flexors adapted to endurance running training and contributed to running performance of long distance runners separately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keitaro Kubo
- Department of Life Science (Sports Sciences), The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan,
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Madarame H, Ochi E, Tomioka Y, Nakazato K, Ishii N. Blood flow-restricted training does not improve jump performance in untrained young men. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 98:465-71. [DOI: 10.1556/aphysiol.98.2011.4.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Kubo K, Morimoto M, Komuro T, Tsunoda N, Kanehisa H, Fukunaga T. Influences of tendon stiffness, joint stiffness, and electromyographic activity on jump performances using single joint. Eur J Appl Physiol 2006; 99:235-43. [PMID: 17106717 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-006-0338-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/20/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The present study aimed to examine the influences of tendon stiffness, joint stiffness, and electromyographic activity on jump performances consisting of a single-joint movement. Twenty-four men performed three kinds of unilateral maximal jump using only the ankle joint (squat jump: SJ; countermovement jump: CMJ; drop jump: DJ) on the sledge apparatus. The relative differences in the jump height of CMJ and DJ compared to SJ were defined as pre-stretch augmentation. During jumping exercises, electromyographic activities (mEMG) were recorded from the plantar flexors. Ankle joint stiffness was calculated as the change in the joint torque divided by the change in ankle joint angle during the eccentric phase of DJ. Achilles tendon stiffness was measured using ultrasonography during isometric plantar flexion. No significant correlations were found between joint stiffness and pre-stretch augmentation in both CMJ and DJ. On the contrary, tendon stiffness was significantly correlated with pre-stretch augmentation in both CMJ (r = -0.471) and DJ (r = -0.502). The relative mEMG value of CMJ (to that of SJ) during the concentric phase was significantly correlated with pre-stretch augmentation (r = 0.481), although this relationship was not found in DJ. These results suggested that (1) the greater jump height in CMJ could be explained by both the tendon elasticity and the increased activation level of muscle, (2) tendon elasticity played a more significant role in the enhancement of jump height during DJ, and (3) joint stiffness was not related to either pre-stretch augmentation or tendon stiffness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keitaro Kubo
- Department of Life Science, Sports Sciences, University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
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