Acute Effect of Active and Passive Static Stretching on Elastic Modulus of the Hamstrings

Gakuto Nakao; Keigo Taniguchi; Masaki Katayose

doi:10.1055/a-0733-6957

Sports Medicine International Open, Table of Contents

CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Sports Med Int Open 2018; 02(06): E163-E170
DOI: 10.1055/a-0733-6957

Training & Testing

Acute Effect of Active and Passive Static Stretching on Elastic Modulus of the Hamstrings

Authors

Gakuto Nakao

¹Graduate School of Health Sciences, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan

²Department of Rehabilitation, Ebetsu City Hospital, Ebetsu, Japan
Keigo Taniguchi

³Department of Physical Therapy, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
Masaki Katayose

³Department of Physical Therapy, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in the acute effects of passive knee extension (PKE) and active knee extension (AKE) stretching on the shear elastic modulus of the hamstrings. In 20 healthy men, maximum knee extension (maximum range of motion [ROM]) and shear elastic modulus of the hamstrings (biceps femoris long head, semitendinosus, semimembranosus) were measured before (Pre) and after (Post) AKE and PKE stretching. The maximum ROM during stretching was measured. In both stretching methods, maximum ROM increased and the shear elastic modulus decreased (p<0.01), but no difference was found between the procedures. No significant difference was observed in the maximum ROM during stretching between the procedures (p=0.06). The shear elastic modulus was significantly lower in the biceps femoris long head and semimembranosus than in the semitendinosus muscle (p<0.05). Static stretching with PKE and AKE stretching showed an increase in maximum ROM and a decrease in hamstring elasticity, but no difference was found between the methods. Both stretching protocols were effective for reducing elasticity of the biceps femoris long head and semimembranosus.

Key words

muscle strain - flexibility - range of motion - shear wave elastography

Full Text

References

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