title: Neurophysiological Mechanisms Underpinning Stretch-Induced Force Loss.
abstract: It is well known that prolonged passive muscle stretch reduces maximal muscle force production. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that adaptations occurring within the nervous system play a major role in this stretch-induced force reduction. This article reviews the existing literature, and some new evidence, regarding acute neurophysiological changes in response to passive muscle stretching. We discuss the possible contribution of supra-spinal and spinal structures to the force reduction after passive muscle stretch. In summary, based on the recent evidence reviewed we propose a new hypothesis that a disfacilitation occurring at the motoneuronal level after passive muscle stretch is a major factor affecting the neural efferent drive to the muscle and, subsequently, its ability to produce maximal force.
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia. g.trajano@qut.edu.au.|Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia. g.trajano@qut.edu.au.
authors.forename: Gabriel S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Trajano
authors.affiliation: Centre for Exercise and Sports Science Research, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Kazunori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nosaka
authors.affiliation: Centre for Exercise and Sports Science Research, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Blazevich
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation* / Q000502:physiology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical