title: Lack of effect of moderate-duration static stretching on plantar flexor force production and series compliance.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effects of an acute bout of moderate-duration static stretching on plantar flexor force production, series compliance of the muscle-tendon unit, and levels of neuromuscular activation were examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen active individuals (9 men and 9 women) performed four 45-s static plantar flexor stretches and a time-matched control of no stretch (where subjects remained seated in the dynamometer for 4 min with no stretch being performed). Measures of peak isometric moment, rate of force development, neuromuscular activation (interpolated twitch technique and electromyography), twitch force characteristics, passive moment during stretch, and tendon elongation during maximal voluntary contractions were taken before and after the stretching.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Despite a significant stress-relaxation response during stretch (9.3%, P<0.01) there were no significant differences in peak isometric moment (P=0.35; effect size 0.13), rate of force development (P=0.93; effect size 0.01), neuromuscular activation (interpolated twitch: P=0.86; electromyography: P=0.09; effect size 0.02), or tendon elongation (P=0.61; effect size 0.07) after stretching. Twitch characteristics were also unchanged after stretching, although there was a reduction in the rate of twitch torque relaxation (RR(t); P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The acute bout of moderate-duration static stretching did not impair the force generating capacity of the plantar flexors or negatively affect muscle-tendon mechanical properties. Static stretching may not always have detrimental consequences for force production. Thus, clinicians may be able to apply moderate-duration stretches to patients without risk of reducing muscular performance.
authors: Physical Education and Exercise Science, College of Arts and Sciences, Seattle Pacific University, 3307 3rd Avenue West, Seattle, WA 98119, USA. cannavand@spu.edu
authors: Dale
authors: D
authors: Cannavan
authors: David R
authors: DR
authors: Coleman
authors: Anthony J
authors: AJ
authors: Blazevich
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D055119:Elastic Modulus / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises / Q000379:methods*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult