title: Determining the minimum number of passive stretches necessary to alter musculotendinous stiffness.
abstract: In this study, we examined the minimum number of constant-torque passive stretches necessary to reduce musculotendinous stiffness. Thirteen healthy individuals (mean age 22 years, s = 3; stature 1.67 m, s = 0.1; mass 66 kg, s = 13 kg) volunteered to participate in the investigation and underwent four 30-s constant-torque passive stretches of the plantar flexor muscles. Musculotendinous stiffness was examined from the angle-torque curves generated prior to the passive stretches, at the beginning of each 30-s stretch, and immediately following the four 30-s passive stretches. The results indicated that musculotendinous stiffness of the plantar flexors was reduced following two 30-s constant-torque passive stretches (P < 0.05) compared with the pre- musculotendinous stiffness assessment. Musculotendinous stiffness remained depressed following the third and fourth stretches, but did not decrease further. These findings suggest that two 30-s bouts of constant-torque passive stretching may be necessary to cause a significant decrease in musculotendinous stiffness of the plantar flexor muscles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019-6081, USA.
authors.forename: Eric D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Trent J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Herda
authors.forename: Pablo B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Jason M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Defreitas
authors.forename: Travis W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stout
authors.forename: Joel T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Cramer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises / Q000379:methods*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013710:Tendons / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult