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PubMed1987

Optimal duration of static stretching exercises for improvement of coxo-femoral flexibility.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different durations of static stretching exercises on coxo-femoral (hip) flexibility. The experimental group, consisting of 20 sedentary women (20-30 years of age), participated in an exercise programme of static stretching exercises with emphasis on the hamstring muscles. The programme lasted for 10 weeks and consisted of two 50-min sessions per week. A control group of 15 sedentary women did not participate in the programme. Hip flexibility was determined before, during and at the end of the programme by means of a goniometric measuring technique developed by us and described elsewhere. Three sub-groups were formed, each following the same programme except that the duration of the static stretch differed (group 1, 10 s; group 2, 20 s; group 3, 30 s). The ANOVA tests showed that for all groups - the control group excepted - the hip flexibility had improved significantly after 10 weeks (P less than 0.05). No significant differences in hip flexibility were noted between the three subgroups at the end of the programme. This finding suggests that a duration of 10 s static stretching is sufficient for improving coxo-femoral flexibility.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Progressive muscle relaxation, yoga stretching, and ABC relaxation theory.

This study compared the psychological effects of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and yoga stretching (hatha) exercises. Forty participants were randomly divided into two groups and taught PMR or yoga stretching exercises. Both groups practiced once a week for five weeks and were given the Smith Relaxation States Inventory before and after each session. As hypothesized, practitioners of PMR displayed higher levels of relaxation states (R-States) Physical Relaxation and Disengagement at Week 4 and higher levels of Mental Quiet and Joy as a posttraining aftereffect at Week 5. Contrary to what was hypothesized, groups did not display different levels of R-States Energized or Aware. Results suggest the value of supplementing traditional somatic conceptualizations of relaxation with the psychological approach embodied in ABC relaxation theory. Clinical and research implications are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1989

Over stretched.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Exercise↗
PubMed1996

Effectiveness of a physical therapy regimen in the treatment of tension-type headache.

Twenty patients with diagnosis of muscle contraction headache were treated for pain relief in a physical therapy clinic once a week for six visits. The previous 3-week period of no treatment served as a control period during which patients recorded by diary their headache frequency, duration, and intensity using a numeric pain scale. Activity level, as measured by the Sickness Impact Profile, and verbal reports of headache frequency, duration, and intensity were recorded at four points during a 1-year period. Measurements were recorded at precontrol, pretreatment, posttreatment, and 12-month follow-up. Treatment included education for posture at home and work place, isotonic home exercise, massage, and stretching to the cervical spine muscles. Results indicated frequency of headaches and Sickness Impact Profile scores were significantly improved (P < 0.001) over the course of treatment. These benefits were maintained after 12 months.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Relation of age and passive properties of an ankle dorsiflexion stretch to the timed one-leg stance test in older women.

26 older women (aged 65 to 89 years) participated in this study, which examined the relationship of age and passive properties of a dorsiflexion stretch of the calf muscle-tendon unit with one-leg stance times. Age was negatively correlated with the time stance (r = -.75). The maximal passive dorsiflexion angle, length extensibility, maximal passive dorsiflexion torque, and the area under the passive curve (total passive elastic energy) were all positively correlated with the stance time (range: r = .49-.69). A multiple regression analysis indicated age was the best predictor of the times. Age and the maximal passive dorsiflexion angle together accounting for 71% of the variance in the time (R = .84, R(2) = .71). The addition of the remaining passive measurements did not improve the variance accounted for in the one-leg stance time. The results indicated that the maximal ankle dorsiflexion range of motion may be important for one-leg standing balance of older women. Accordingly, stretching exercises designed to increase the maximal dorsiflexion angle may have a role for maintaining or improving their standing balance.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1996

Conservative management of thoracic outlet syndrome.

Conservative management of thoracic outlet syndrome requires accurate evaluation of the peripheral nervous system, posture, and the cervico-scapular muscles. Patients should be instructed in postural correction in sitting, standing and sleeping, stretching exercises (ie, upper trapezius, levator scapulae, suboccipitals, scalenes, sternocleidomastoid and pectoral muscles), and strengthening exercises of the lower scapular stabilizers beginning in gravity-assisted positions to regain normal movement patterns in the cervico-scapular region. Patient education, compliance to an exercise program, and behavioral modification at home and work are critical to successful conservative management.

Humans↗
PubMed2002

Exhausting stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercise causes greater impairment in SSC performance than in pure concentric performance.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the fatigue effect of repeated exhaustive stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercise on concentric muscle function. Ten healthy male subjects performed SSC exercise [92 (30) jumps] on a special sledge apparatus. Exhaustion occurred on average within 3 min. A squat jump (SJ) test utilizing a concentric-only action was performed immediately before and after the SSC exercise, and then 10 min, 20 min, 2 days and 4 days later. In addition, a drop jump (DJ) test using an SSC was also performed immediately before and 20 min after the SSC exercise, and 2 days and 4 days later. During jump tests, lower limb joint moment, power, and work contributions were analyzed by using the kinetic and kinematic data. The fatigue exercise was characterized by a relatively high blood lactate concentration [7.2 (0.8) mmol x l(-1)] and a 2-day delayed increase in serum creatine kinase activity [486 (300) U x l(-1)]. SJ performance decreased markedly immediately after the SSC exercise (P<0.05) and then recovered within 10 min. In contrast, DJ performance and knee joint contribution showed a delayed decrease 2 days after the SSC exercise bout. The surface electromyographic (EMG) activity of the lower limb muscles showed no obvious change in the SJ in comparison to the DJ, although in the latter there was a delayed decrease of knee extensor EMG during the pre-activation and braking phases. The results suggest that isolated concentric muscle function is affected mainly by acute metabolic fatigue after SSC exercise. During a follow-up period after the exercise, changes in hip and knee joint contribution in SJ showed a different recovery pattern compared to those in eccentric DJ. It could be suggested that exhaustive SSC exercise would mainly influence the relative power-work balance between the hip and knee joints during the eccentric phase of SSC. Thus different motor control strategies may account for the distinctive fatigue responses observed in SJ and DJ.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Lower limb injuries in children in sports.

This article presents an overview of sports-related injuries of the lower limb in children, with emphasis on the management. The special injury-related conditions of childhood, epidemiology, and the particular pattern of injuries are discussed. The increased participation of children in sports will continue. Permanent damage is a risk, and, as such, prevention should be the most important management in this age group. For example, stretching exercises should be performed with "warm" muscles. Excessive weight training has an unacceptable risk of injury. In endurance sports, the "10 percent rule," which consists of increasing activity by 10% each week, probably could be applied to prevent overuse injuries. A multifactorial approach may be helpful. The rationale for high performance, competitive sports for children is doubtful. The optimal levels of safe training will remain changeable and not predictable. It should be the responsibility of parents, coaches, and healthcare professionals to try and minimize the potential for injury and disability, and allow children to enjoy the benefits of sports.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Limited dorsiflexion predisposes to injuries of the ankle in children.

Injuries to the ankle are common in children. We investigated whether decreased dorsiflexion predisposes to such fractures and sprains. Passive dorsiflexion in children with ankle injuries was compared with that in a control group of patients with a normal ankle. The uninjured side was examined to determine flexibility in those patients with ankle injuries. In 82, the mean dorsiflexion was 5.7 degrees with the knee extended and 11.2 degrees with the knee flexed. In 85 controls, the mean dorsiflexion was 12.8 degrees with the knee extended and 21.5 degrees with the knee flexed (p < 0.001, Student's t-test). There was a strong association between decreased ankle dorsiflexion and injury in children. A flexible triceps surae appeared to absorb energy and protect the bone and ligaments, while stiffness predisposed to injury. We suggest that children with tight calf muscles should undergo a regimen of stretching exercises to improve their flexibility.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Pain in the sole of the foot. Differential diagnosis and therapy].

Plantar foot pain can be caused by a wide variety of diseases. To facilitate diagnosis and treatment differentiation of two entities is useful. The first group contains those painful disturbances that are due to mechanical overload, the second group has no relation to biomechanical problems. Tightness of the gastrocnemius muscles and hamstrings are the main factors leading to mechanical overload. Therefore, thorough evaluation of these muscles and treatment of shortening by stretching exercises is of paramount importance.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed2006

Acute effects of active warm-up and stretching on the flexibility of elderly women.

AIM: The purpose of the investigation was to examine the acute effects of static stretch on the range of motion (ROM) of the lower extremities and trunk in elderly women, when stretching is performed with and without warming-up exercises. METHODS: Twenty-two sedentary subjects 65-85 years old (mean age: 76.5 years) with normal ROM without joint abnormalities took part in the study, and performed 3 different flexibility protocols in non-consecutive randomized sessions. The first stretching protocol comprised of a general warming-up for 20 min, the second of the same general warming-up followed by static stretching of the lower extremities and the trunk, whereas the third and final stretching protocol consisted of static stretching alone. Passive ROM was examined at the lower extremity joints and trunk flexion, using a goniometer and a flexometer. RESULTS: Static stretching alone and static stretching after a general warming-up bout, significantly increased the range of all lower extremity joints and trunk flexion (P<0.001). The general warming-up session included a significantly increased ROM only at the ankle dorsiflexion joint (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results reflect immediate changes in flexibility via acute stretching exercises, in sedentary elderly women, when muscles undergo static elongation, irrespective of the performance of warming-up exercises.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

[Clinical effects of four weeks of respiratory muscle stretch gymnastics in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

We developed a program of respiratory muscle stretch gymnastic (RMSG), and measured lung function, exercise capacity, dyspnea, and quality of life before and after 4 weeks of training with this program. Thirteen patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (mean FEVi, 1.24 liters) began the program. They participated in three sessions of RMSG each day. Twelve patients completed all 4 weeks. RMSG significantly (p < 0.01) decreased functional residual capacity (from 4.19 +/- 1.27 to 3.88 +/- 1.03 liters), total lung capacity (from 5.98 +/- 1.35 to 5.66 +/- 1.20 liters), residual volume (from 3.29 +/- 1.16 to 2.89 +/- 0.89 liters), and residual volume as a percent of total lung capacity (from 53.9 +/- 11.2% to 50.6 +/- 9.74%). The distance walked in 6 min increased by an average of 43 +/- 30 meters (+ 15%, p < 0.01). Dyspnea after a 6-minute walk (measured with a 150-mm visual analog scale) decreased significantly (from 65.1 +/- 40.8 to 36.1 +/- 36.8, p < 0.05). Quality of life was measured with the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire of Guyatt, et al., and was found to have improved significantly. Respiratory muscle stretch gymnastics may be useful in pulmonary rehabilitation.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Cardiovascular responses to human calf muscle stretch during varying levels of muscle metaboreflex activation.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the cardiovascular responses to muscle metaboreflex- and concurrent muscle stretch-induced mechanoreflex activation. Eight subjects (7 males, 1 female) performed 90 s of isometric calf plantarflexion at 0, 30, 50 and 70% of maximum voluntary contraction. During exercise and for 3.5 min postexercise, circulatory occlusion (PECO) was ensured by inflation of a thigh cuff. After 90 s of PECO the calf muscle was stretched for 60 s (Stretch). Heart rate (HR; assessed from ECG), blood pressure (BP; Finapres) and phase of respiratory cycle were recorded. Exercise increased diastolic BP (DBP) from rest by 1+/-0.8, 14+/-2.5, 29+/-3.9 and 35+/-3.6 mmHg, during the 0, 30, 50 and 70% conditions, respectively (ANOVA rest versus exercise, P<0.05). During PECO DBP remained elevated, by 2+/-0.4, 8+/-0.3, 12+/-0.3 and 13+/-0.9 mmHg, respectively. Stretch produced a further increase in DBP that was not different between conditions (3+/-1.4, 2+/-0.8, 3+/-1.0 and 3+/-0.9 mmHg, for the 0, 30, 50 and 70%, respectively). HR increased during exercise but returned to baseline during PECO. HR increased at Stretch onset in all conditions. No EMG was detected from the gastrocnemius and soleus during Stretch. Our data show that the cardiovascular responses to human calf Stretch are independent of the level of concurrent muscle metaboreflex activation.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

A randomized trial of preexercise stretching for prevention of lower-limb injury.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effect of muscle stretching during warm-up on the risk of exercise-related injury. METHODS: 1538 male army recruits were randomly allocated to stretch or control groups. During the ensuing 12 wk of training, both groups performed active warm-up exercises before physical training sessions. In addition, the stretch group performed one 20-s static stretch under supervision for each of six major leg muscle groups during every warm-up. The control group did not stretch. RESULTS: 333 lower-limb injuries were recorded during the training period, including 214 soft-tissue injuries. There were 158 injuries in the stretch group and 175 in the control group. There was no significant effect of preexercise stretching on all-injuries risk (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.95, 95% CI 0.77-1.18), soft-tissue injury risk (HR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.63-1.09), or bone injury risk (HR = 1.22, 95% CI 0.86-1.76). Fitness (20-m progressive shuttle run test score), age, and enlistment date all significantly predicted injury risk (P < 0.01 for each), but height, weight, and body mass index did not. CONCLUSION: A typical muscle stretching protocol performed during preexercise warm-ups does not produce clinically meaningful reductions in risk of exercise-related injury in army recruits. Fitness may be an important, modifiable risk factor.

Adolescent↗