Stretch imposed on active muscle elicits positive adaptations in strain risk factors and exercise-induced muscle damage

Anthony D Kay, Bethanee Rubley, Chris Talbot, Minas A Mina, Anthony W Baross, Anthony J Blazevich

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Stretching highly-contracted plantar flexor muscles (isokinetic eccentric contractions) results in beneficial adaptations in muscle strain risk factors; however its effects in other muscle groups, and on architectural characteristics and exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), are unknown. METHODS The influence of a 6-week knee extensor training program was studied in 26 volunteers (13 control; 13 experimental). Before and after the training program, passive and maximal isometric and eccentric knee extensor moments and range of motion (ROM) were recorded on an isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasound imaging of vastus lateralis (VL). On a separate day, EIMD markers (creatine kinase [CK], delayed onset muscle soreness [DOMS]) were measured before and 24 hours after a 20-minute downhill run. The 6-week training program was performed twice-weekly where five sets of 12 stretches (3 seconds per stretch) were imposed on maximally contracted knee extensor muscles. RESULTS Significant (P  0.05) in passive muscle-tendon stiffness (-9.4%) or resting fascicle length (-0.7%) occurred. The downhill run resulted in substantial DOMS and significant increase in CK concentration before the training program (107.6%); however, DOMS was eliminated from the knee extensors and a significantly smaller increase in CK (-70.0%) occurred post-training. CONCLUSION Positive adaptations in functional and physiological variables confirm that imposing stretch on maximally contracted muscle provides beneficial adaptations likely to mitigate EIMD and injury risk and enhance functional performance.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2299–2309
Number of pages11
JournalScandinavian Journal Of Medicine & Science in Sports
Volume28
Issue number11
Early online date26 Jun 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2018

Keywords

  • EIMD
  • active stretching
  • isokinetic eccentric training
  • range of motion
  • tissue stiffness

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