The effect of stretching on muscle responses and postural sway responses during computerized dynamic posturography in women and men.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of stretching on the parameters of postural sway and on the kinematic variables associated with balance control in women and men.


METHODS
Mixed repeated measures design with 2 levels.


METHODS
Research laboratory.


METHODS
Fifteen women and fifteen men (mean age 23.4+/-2.2).


METHODS
Two separate sessions of (1) lower extremity stretching and (2) no-stretching, immediately prior to balance testing with simultaneous surface electromyographic (EMG) recordings of muscle responses.


METHODS
EMG latencies and average amplitudes for 4 lower extremity muscles for the preferred stance limb during computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) tests, specifically the Postural Evoked Response Test, Adaptation Test, Motor Control Test, Sensory Organization Test, and Unilateral Stance Test.


RESULTS
Analyses of variance indicated no significant main effect for stretching and 2 significant main effects for gender for the Motor Control Test (P=.021) and latency of tibialis anterior (P=.009). Analyses of covariance with covariants of height and active knee extension revealed no significant main effect of stretching or of gender on muscles responses or CDP performance.


CONCLUSIONS
In both women and men, lower extremity stretching did not significantly affect muscle responses or performance during CDP.
Lewis
Nancy L
NL
Center for Rehabilitation Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas 79430, USA.
Brismée
Jean-Michel
JM
James
C Roger
CR
Sizer
Phillip S
PS
Sawyer
Steven F
SF
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values