title: Stretching-induced deficit of maximal isometric torque is restored within 10 minutes.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to clarify the time course of the stretching-induced decrease in maximal isometric plantar flexion torque. Nineteen women participated in 2 randomly ordered experimental trials: static 5-minute stretching or control with no stretching. The participants performed isometric maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) of the right plantar flexor muscles, whereas electromyographic (EMG) amplitude (root mean square) was calculated for the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscles. Measurements were conducted preintervention; immediately after intervention; and 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes postintervention. The static 5-minute stretching trial consisted of dorsiflexion to the end range of motion and holding that position for 1 minute, 5 times, whereas the control trial consisted of 5 minutes of resting. As a result, the MVC torque was significantly decreased immediately after, and 5 minutes after the static 5-minute stretching intervention compared with the preintervention value (p < 0.05), and this change recovered within 10 minutes. However, the EMG amplitude did not change from preintervention to postintervention under any conditions. These results suggest that the deficits of static stretching are disabled in a short time after static stretching.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics, School of Health and Sport Sciences, Chukyo University, Toyota, Japan.
authors.forename: Takamasa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mizuno
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Yoshihisa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Umemura
mesh_terms: D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013997:Time Factors; D019415:Torque; D063996:Warm-Up Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult