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Afonso J, Andrade R, Rocha-Rodrigues S, Nakamura FY, Sarmento H, Freitas SR, Silva AF, Laporta L, Abarghoueinejad M, Akyildiz Z, Chen R, Pizarro A, Ramirez-Campillo R, Clemente FM. What We Do Not Know About Stretching in Healthy Athletes: A Scoping Review with Evidence Gap Map from 300 Trials. Sports Med 2024; 54:1517-1551. [PMID: 38457105 PMCID: PMC11239752 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-024-02002-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stretching has garnered significant attention in sports sciences, resulting in numerous studies. However, there is no comprehensive overview on investigation of stretching in healthy athletes. OBJECTIVES To perform a systematic scoping review with an evidence gap map of stretching studies in healthy athletes, identify current gaps in the literature, and provide stakeholders with priorities for future research. METHODS Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 and PRISMA-ScR guidelines were followed. We included studies comprising healthy athletes exposed to acute and/or chronic stretching interventions. Six databases were searched (CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science) until 1 January 2023. The relevant data were narratively synthesized; quantitative data summaries were provided for key data items. An evidence gap map was developed to offer an overview of the existing research and relevant gaps. RESULTS Of ~ 220,000 screened records, we included 300 trials involving 7080 athletes [mostly males (~ 65% versus ~ 20% female, and ~ 15% unreported) under 36 years of age; tiers 2 and 3 of the Participant Classification Framework] across 43 sports. Sports requiring extreme range of motion (e.g., gymnastics) were underrepresented. Most trials assessed the acute effects of stretching, with chronic effects being scrutinized in less than 20% of trials. Chronic interventions averaged 7.4 ± 5.1 weeks and never exceeded 6 months. Most trials (~ 85%) implemented stretching within the warm-up, with other application timings (e.g., post-exercise) being under-researched. Most trials examined static active stretching (62.3%), followed by dynamic stretching (38.3%) and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching (12.0%), with scarce research on alternative methods (e.g., ballistic stretching). Comparators were mostly limited to passive controls, with ~ 25% of trials including active controls (e.g., strength training). The lower limbs were primarily targeted by interventions (~ 75%). Reporting of dose was heterogeneous in style (e.g., 10 repetitions versus 10 s for dynamic stretching) and completeness of information (i.e., with disparities in the comprehensiveness of the provided information). Most trials (~ 90%) reported performance-related outcomes (mainly strength/power and range of motion); sport-specific outcomes were collected in less than 15% of trials. Biomechanical, physiological, and neural/psychological outcomes were assessed sparsely and heterogeneously; only five trials investigated injury-related outcomes. CONCLUSIONS There is room for improvement, with many areas of research on stretching being underexplored and others currently too heterogeneous for reliable comparisons between studies. There is limited representation of elite-level athletes (~ 5% tier 4 and no tier 5) and underpowered sample sizes (≤ 20 participants). Research was biased toward adult male athletes of sports not requiring extreme ranges of motion, and mostly assessed the acute effects of static active stretching and dynamic stretching during the warm-up. Dose-response relationships remain largely underexplored. Outcomes were mostly limited to general performance testing. Injury prevention and other effects of stretching remain poorly investigated. These relevant research gaps should be prioritized by funding policies. REGISTRATION OSF project ( https://osf.io/6auyj/ ) and registration ( https://osf.io/gu8ya ).
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Affiliation(s)
- José Afonso
- Faculty of Sport, Centre of Research, Education, Innovation, and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Renato Andrade
- Clínica Espregueira-FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, Porto, Portugal
- Dom Henrique Research Centre, Porto, Portugal
- Porto Biomechanics Laboratory (LABIOMEP), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sílvia Rocha-Rodrigues
- Escola Superior de Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun'Alvares, 4900-347, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
- Tumour and Microenvironment Interactions Group, INEB-Institute of Biomedical Engineering, i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 4200-153, Porto, Portugal
- Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center, 4900-347, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
| | - Fábio Yuzo Nakamura
- Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), University of Maia, Maia, Portugal
| | - Hugo Sarmento
- University of Coimbra, Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity (CIDAF), Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sandro R Freitas
- Laboratório de Função Neuromuscular, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
| | - Ana Filipa Silva
- Escola Superior de Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun'Alvares, 4900-347, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
- Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center, 4900-347, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
| | - Lorenzo Laporta
- Núcleo de Estudos em Performance Analysis Esportiva (NEPAE/UFSM), Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Avenida Roraima, nº 1000, Cidade Universitária, Bairro Camobi, Santa Maria, RS, CEP: 97105-900, Brazil
| | | | - Zeki Akyildiz
- Sports Science Faculty, Department of Coaching Education, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
| | - Rongzhi Chen
- Faculty of Sport, Centre of Research, Education, Innovation, and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Andreia Pizarro
- Faculty of Sport, Research Center in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Rua das Taipas, 135, 4050-600, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo
- Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, School of Physical Therapy. Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, 7591538, Santiago, Chile
| | - Filipe Manuel Clemente
- Escola Superior de Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun'Alvares, 4900-347, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
- Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center, 4900-347, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
- Gdańsk University of Physical Education and Sport, 80-336, Gdańsk, Poland
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Alimoradi M, Sahebozamani M, Hosseini E, Konrad A, Noorian S. The Effect on Flexibility and a Variety of Performance Tests of the Addition of 4 Weeks of Soleus Stretching to a Regular Dynamic Stretching Routine in Amateur Female Soccer Players. Sports (Basel) 2023; 11:138. [PMID: 37505625 PMCID: PMC10383580 DOI: 10.3390/sports11070138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 4 weeks of soleus stretching on ankle flexibility and dynamic balance, as well as selected monitoring and performance tests in soccer. Forty-five healthy female soccer players were randomly divided into a regular stretching group, a regular stretching group with soleus stretching, and a control group. Dynamic stretching protocols were performed for 4 weeks during three sessions per week as part of routine exercises. The regular group stretched three muscle groups (i.e., gastrocnemius, quadriceps, and hamstrings), while the regular + soleus group also stretched the soleus muscle. Before and after the stretching intervention, the ankle range of motion test, Y-balance test, drop jump test, dynamic knee valgus test, and Illinois Agility Running Test were performed. Ankle ROM, Y-balance, and DJ significantly improved in both intervention groups compared to controls. Only the regular + soleus group showed improvement in the Illinois Agility Running Test. Additionally, athletes performing the additional soleus stretching had greater improvements in ankle ROM and DJ but not in DKV or Y-balance. The results showed that adding soleus stretching into regular protocols can provide benefits for female soccer players in terms of performance parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Alimoradi
- Department of Sports Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman 76169-14111, Iran; (M.A.); (M.S.); (E.H.)
| | - Mansour Sahebozamani
- Department of Sports Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman 76169-14111, Iran; (M.A.); (M.S.); (E.H.)
| | - Elham Hosseini
- Department of Sports Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman 76169-14111, Iran; (M.A.); (M.S.); (E.H.)
| | - Andreas Konrad
- Institute of Human Movement Science, Sport and Health, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Sajad Noorian
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Science, University of Qom, Qom 37161-46611, Iran;
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