PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Muscle Stretching Exercises”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 631 records · Page 35Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

[Incidence of complaints about heel-, knee- and back-related discomfort among Danish children, possible relation to short muscles].

Four hundred and fifty-nine children and adolescents from third, sixth and ninth classes in seven schools on Funen were questioned in 1991. Seven percent had complaints from back and knee, and 3% from the heel. When the hamstrings were so short that one knee had an extension deficit gently measured to more than 40 degrees, when the hip was flexed 90 degrees, the incidence of back pain rose significantly to 15%. Furthermore 18% had complaints from the knee and 35% from the heel when the passive range of motion of the foot was less than 0 degrees of dorsiflexion measured with the knee extended. As 75% of the boys and 35% of the girls over age ten have short hamstrings and 13% of both sexes have short Achilles tendons, it is recommended that school children be involved in a daily stretching programme in order to diminish the complaints from the extremities often seen in this group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Active neck muscle training in the treatment of chronic neck pain in women: a randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT: Active physical training is commonly recommended for patients with chronic neck pain; however, its efficacy has not been demonstrated in randomized studies. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of intensive isometric neck strength training and lighter endurance training of neck muscles on pain and disability in women with chronic, nonspecific neck pain. DESIGN: Examiner-blinded randomized controlled trial conducted between February 2000 and March 2002. SETTING: Participants were recruited from occupational health care systems in southern and eastern Finland. PATIENTS: A total of 180 female office workers between the ages of 25 and 53 years with chronic, nonspecific neck pain. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to either 2 training groups or to a control group, with 60 patients in each group. The endurance training group performed dynamic neck exercises, which included lifting the head up from the supine and prone positions. The strength training group performed high-intensity isometric neck strengthening and stabilization exercises with an elastic band. Both training groups performed dynamic exercises for the shoulders and upper extremities with dumbbells. All groups were advised to do aerobic and stretching exercises regularly 3 times a week. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Neck pain and disability were assessed by a visual analog scale, the neck and shoulder pain and disability index, and the Vernon neck disability index. Intermediate outcome measures included mood assessed by a short depression inventory and by maximal isometric neck strength and range of motion measures. RESULTS: At the 12-month follow-up visit, both neck pain and disability had decreased in both training groups compared with the control group (P<.001). Maximal isometric neck strength had improved flexion by 110%, rotation by 76%, and extension by 69% in the strength training group. The respective improvements in the endurance training group were 28%, 29%, and 16% and in the control group were 10%, 10%, and 7%. Range of motion had also improved statistically significantly in both training groups compared with the control group in rotation, but only the strength training group had statistically significant improvements in lateral flexion and in flexion and extension. CONCLUSIONS: Both strength and endurance training for 12 months were effective methods for decreasing pain and disability in women with chronic, nonspecific neck pain. Stretching and fitness training are commonly advised for patients with chronic neck pain, but stretching and aerobic exercising alone proved to be a much less effective form of training than strength training.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

EMG activity of the leg extensor muscles with special reference to mechanical efficiency in concentric and eccentric exercise.

Integrated electromyographic (IEMG) activity of the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis muscles were recorded when normal male subjects performed isolated concentric and eccentric exercises on a special "sledge" apparatus, which was connected to a force plate. Four different submaximal energy levels were investigated in both exercise types. A single set of exercise included 80 contractions. The net mechanical efficiency was computed from the force plate record (mechanical work) and from the analysis of expired air (energy expenditure). The results indicated that IEMG activity increased with increasing knee angular velocity or mechanical work in concentric exercise, but in eccentric exercise IEMG stayed at very low levels at all energy levels. The net mechanical efficiency of concentric exercise was on the average 19.4% +/- 2.8%, and it did not change much with change in the narrow range of peak angular velocities. In eccentric exercise, however, mechanical efficiency increased in all subjects with increasing mechanical work or stretch velocity reaching in many instances values over 100%. This increase in mechanical efficiency was characterized by very low IEMG activity, which stayed approximately the same at all efficiency levels. In concentric exercise IEMG, energy expenditure and mechanical work changed in parallel when exercise intensity was increased.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Effect of two training regimens on bone mineral density in healthy perimenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial.

The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effects of 18 months of calisthenics and endurance training regimens on bone mineral density (BMD) in perimenopausal women. Clinically healthy sedentary female volunteers (n = 105) aged 52-53 years were randomly assigned to a calisthenics (n = 36), endurance (n = 34), or control (n = 35) group. The calisthenics training (2.6 times per week on average, 50 minutes per session) consisted of rhythmic strength-endurance exercises by large muscle groups, and the endurance training (3.2 times per week, 50 minutes) consisted of walking, stair climbing, ergometer cycling, and jogging at a controlled heart rate zone corresponding to 55-75% of the individual maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) of the subjects. The control subjects performed a light stretching program once a week The BMD of the lumbar spine (L2-L4), right femoral neck, calcaneus, and distal radius was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at 0, 4, 8, 10, 14, and 18 months, and the maximal isometric strength during trunk extension and flexion, leg extension, and arm flexion and the VO2max by ergospirometry were evaluated at 0, 8, 10, and 18 months of intervention. The VO2max improved significantly (p = 0.021) in the endurance group. The linear trend of the femoral neck BMD in the endurance group, as determined by generalized linear models, was significantly different (p = 0.043) from that of the control group, the trend indicating a maintenance of the prestudy BMD. In the calisthenics group, the training effect was not significant. However, the distal radius BMD of the endurance group showed a significant negative trend (p = 0.006). These results suggest that multiexercise endurance training maintains the BMD the clinically important femoral neck of perimenopausal women. This form of endurance training proved also to be feasible for healthy perimenopausal women.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1990

Conditioning of the spinal stretch reflex: implications for rehabilitation.

The purpose of this article is to describe a new technique that can potentially be applied to patients with hyperactive spinal stretch reflexes (SSRs). The progression of clinical research from conditioning of individual muscles or muscle groups (electromyographic biofeedback) to conditioning SSRs is explained. Research data from subhuman primates in addition to the first human experiments are reviewed. Potential applications of SSR conditioning are discussed, as are the issues requiring further delineation and research before the specificity of a training effect can be ascertained.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Tendon organs as monitors of muscle damage from eccentric contractions.

Eccentric contractions, where the active muscle is stretched, can lead to muscle damage. One of the signs of damage is a rise in the whole-muscle passive tension. Here we have asked, how many eccentric contractions are necessary to produce a measurable rise in passive tension and can this be detected by the muscle's tension sensors, the tendon organs? Responses of tendon organs of the medial gastrocnemius muscle of the anaesthetised cat were recorded during and after a series of eccentric contractions. The contractions were arranged so that the length change to which the muscle was subjected lay symmetrically about the optimum length for active tension. Tendon organ responses were measured as a mean rate, calculated over a 1-mm length change during a slow stretch of the muscle. Progressive increases in passive tension and tendon organ response were measured after each of a series of 1-100 eccentric contractions of the whole muscle, bundles of motor units and single motor units. One to two eccentric contractions of a single motor unit were sufficient to produce measurable rises in passive tension and tendon organ response. After a series of eccentric contractions had been completed, passive tension and tendon organ response were seen to continue rising with similar time-courses over the next 50 min. Both tension and afferent response could be reduced by large passive stretches. There was also a large increase in the responses of tendon organs to combined stretch and vibration at 100 Hz after the eccentric contractions. All of this indicates that tendon organs are able to monitor the passive tension changes in the muscle, thought to result from muscle damage produced by the eccentric contractions. The findings are relevant to known changes in proprioception and motor control after eccentric exercise.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Chronic Achilles tendinosis: recommendations for treatment and prevention.

Chronic Achilles tendinosis is a condition with an unknown aetiology and pathogenesis that is often, but not always, associated with pain during loading of the Achilles tendon. Histologically, there are no inflammatory cells, but increased amounts of interfibrillar glycosaminoglycans and changes in the collagen fibre structure and arrangement are seen. In situ microdialysis has confirmed the absence of inflammation. It is a condition that is most often seen among recreational male runners aged between 35 and 45 years, and it is most often considered to be associated with overuse. However, this condition is also seen in patients with a sedentary lifestyle. Chronic Achilles tendinosis is considered a troublesome injury to treat. Nonsurgical treatment most often includes a combination of rest, NSAIDs, correction of malalignments, and stretching and strengthening exercises, but there is sparse scientific evidence supporting the use of most proposed treatment regimens. It has been stated that, in general, nonsurgical treatment is not successful and surgical treatment is required in about 25% of patients. However, in a recent prospective study, treatment with heavy load eccentric calf muscle training showed very promising results and may possibly reduce the need for surgical treatment of tendinosis located in the midportion of the Achilles tendon. The short term results after surgical treatment are frequently very good, but in the few studies with long term follow-up there are signs of a possible deterioration with time. Calf muscle strength takes a long time to recover and, furthermore, a prolonged progressive calcaneal bone loss has been shown on the operated side up to 1 year after surgical treatment.

Achilles Tendon↗
PubMed2005

Vibrations and their applications in sport. A review.

In sport, mechanical vibration is used as a massage tool and/or for training purposes. Two varieties of vibration training (VT) can be distinguished: strength exercises with superimposed vibratory stimulation (VS exercises) and motor tasks performed under whole body vibration (the WBV training). Vibratory massage has been used extensively since the beginning of the 20th century while VT is a relatively new technique. In the research literature, the main subjects addressed have been acute and cumulative effects of VS on flexibility and strength. Marked enhancement effects were obtained in medium-duration stretching and short-duration dynamic strength exercises while prolonged efforts did not show positive impact. The observed effects of vibration depend on various neural facilitatory and inhibitory mechanisms. In comparison to VS exercises, WBV tasks generate more global neuromuscular, metabolic and hormonal responses. WBV training resulted in significant changes in several motor variables, with stretch-shortening cycle tests (such as countermovement jumps, serial high jumps, etc.) being the most sensitive to WBV treatment. Based on available knowledge about proprioceptive spinal reflexes-that feedback from the primary endings of motor spindles produces a stimulatory effect via increased discharge of a-motoneurons, and activation of Golgi tendon organs (GTO) evokes inhibition of muscle action-a hypothesis has been proposed that VT enhances excitatory inflow from muscle spindles to the motorneuron pools and depresses inhibitory impact of GTO due to the accommodation to vibration stimuli. The intensity and duration of vibration used in VT dramatically exceed the standards for occupational vibration established by the International Organization for Standardization.

Exercise↗
PubMed2006

Effects of static stretching on leg power during cycling.

AIM: This study investigated the effects of warm-up involving static stretching on leg power. It was expected that the inclusion of static stretching in the warm-up would decrease leg power. METHODS: Twenty-seven healthy volunteers (16 male, 11 female) participated in the study. A prospective, repeated measures design was implemented where volunteers underwent 2 testing sessions at least 24 hours apart. One testing session involved a control warm-up (5 min submaximal cycling) followed by 4 10-s leg power tests at 5, 20, 40 and 60 min postwarm-up. For the other testing session, the subjects performed 5 min of submaximal cycling followed by 15 min of lower body static stretching and then the four leg power tests. Relative peak power, time to peak power and relative total work were measured for each leg power test. RESULTS: Peak power and total work were significantly greater after the static stretching warm-up compared to the control warm-up on all power tests. Peak power was achieved more quickly for the static stretching warm-up compared to the control warm-up on the 5 min test only. CONCLUSIONS: A warm up that includes static stretching has beneficial effects on anaerobic power events in comparison to submaximal cycling alone.

Adult↗
PubMed2007

Nitric oxide-dependence of satellite stem cell activation and quiescence on normal skeletal muscle fibers.

Satellite cells (quiescent precursors in normal adult skeletal muscle) are activated for growth and regeneration. Signaling by nitric oxide (NO) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) during activation has not been examined in a model that can distinguish quiescent from activated satellite cells. We tested the hypothesis that NO and HGF are required to regulate activation using the single-fiber culture model. In normal fibers, HGF and inhibition of NO synthase (NOS) each increased activation without stretching, and NOS inhibition reduced stretch-activation. Activation in unstretched mdx and NOS-I(-/-) fibers was three- to fourfold higher than normal, and was reduced by stretching. Distinctions were not due to different pax7-expressing populations on normal and mdx fibers. The population of c-met-expressing satellite cells on normal fibers was increased by stretch, demonstrating functional heterogeneity among normal satellite cells. Cycloheximide did not prevent the stretch-related increase in c-met expression, suggesting c-met may be an immediate-early gene in satellite cell activation. Results have important implications for designing new therapies that target the role of exercise in health, aging, and disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Biomechanics: an integral part of sport science and sport medicine.

Biomechanics is one of the disciplines in the field of Human Movement and Exercise Science and it can be divided into three broad categories from a research perspective. Clinical biomechanics involves research in the areas of gait, neuromuscular control, tissue mechanics, and movement evaluation during rehabilitation from either injury or disease. Occupational biomechanics typically involves research in the areas of ergonomics and human growth or morphology as they influence movement. While these two categories will briefly be discussed, the primary aim of this paper is to show the role of biomechanics in sports science and sports medicine. Research in sports biomechanics may take the form of describing movement from a performance enhancement (such as matching of impulse curves in rowing) or injury reduction perspective (such as diving in swimming or the assessment of knee joint loading during downhill walking). However, the strength of sports biomechanics research is the ability to establish an understanding of causal mechanisms for selected movements (such as the role of internal rotation of the upper arm in hitting or striking, and the influence of elastic energy and muscle pre-stretch in stretch-shorten-cycle actions). The growth of modelling and computer simulation has further enhanced the potential use of sports biomechanics research (such as quantification of knee joint ligament forces from a dynamic model and optimising gymnastics performance through simulation of in-flight movements). Biomechanics research may also play an integral role in reducing the incidence and severity of sporting injuries (such as identification of the causes of back injuries in cricket, and the causes of knee joint injuries in sport). In the following discussion no attempt will be made to reference all papers published in each of these areas because of the enormity of the task. Published and current work from the biomechanics laboratory at the Department of Human Movement and Exercise Science at The University of Western Australia will generally be used to illustrate the scope of biomechanics research within that institution.

Athletic Injuries↗
PubMed2003

Oxygen dynamics at paraspinal muscles during exertion using near-infrared spectroscopy in patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis.

Oxygen dynamics were measured in both sides of the paraspinal muscles of patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis. The objective was to investigate the extent of stress by measuring the changes in oxygenation and blood flow volume using near-infrared spectroscopy. There were 44 patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis (7 men, 37 women) and 11 controls with no scoliosis (2 men, 9 women). The measured recovery time for deoxyhemoglobin indicated the recovery from energy deficit after exercise. The average recovery time of the 11 control subjects was 2.4 +/- 0.7 s on the right and 2.4 +/- 0.8 s on the left. Among the 44 patients the average recovery time was 3.8 +/- 1.8 s on the convex side and 2.1 +/- 1.1 s on the concave side. There was a significant difference between the two groups. The recovery time on the concave side in patients was faster than that on the convex side. The results of the current study support the theory that stretching the muscles at the convex side results in chronic increases in the intramuscular compartment and reduced muscular blood flow.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Feedback-controlled and programmed stretching of the ankle plantarflexors and dorsiflexors in stroke: effects of a 4-week intervention program.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of repeated feedback-controlled and programmed "intelligent" stretching of the ankle plantar- and dorsiflexors to treat subjects with ankle spasticity and/or contracture in stroke. DESIGN: Noncontrolled trial. SETTING: Institutional research center. PARTICIPANTS: Subjects with spasticity and/or contracture after stroke. INTERVENTIONS: Stretching of the plantar- and dorsiflexors of the ankle 3 times a week for 45 minutes during a 4-week period by using a feedback-controlled and programmed stretching device. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Passive and active range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, joint stiffness, joint viscous damping, reflex excitability, comfortable walking speed, and subjective experiences of the subjects. RESULTS: Significant improvements were found in the passive ROM, maximum voluntary contraction, ankle stiffness, and comfortable walking speed. The visual analog scales indicated very positive subjective evaluation in terms of the comfort of stretching and the effect on their involved ankle. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated feedback-controlled or intelligent stretching had a positive influence on the joint properties of the ankle with spasticity and/or contracture after stroke. The stretching device may be an effective and safe alternative to manual passive motion treatment by a therapist and has potential to be used to repeatedly and regularly stretch the ankle of subjects with spasticity and/or contracture without daily involvement of clinicians or physical therapists.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Changes in muscle mass and phenotype and the expression of autocrine and systemic growth factors by muscle in response to stretch and overload.

The study of the underlying mechanisms by which cells respond to mechanical stimuli, i.e. the link between the mechanical stimulus and gene expression, represents a new and important area in the morphological sciences. Several cell types ('mechanocytes'), e.g. osteoblasts and fibroblasts as well as smooth, cardiac and skeletal muscle cells are activated by mechanical strain and there is now mounting evidence that this involves the cytoskeleton. Muscle offers one of the best opportunities for studying this type of mechanotransduction as the mechanical activity generated by and imposed upon muscle tissue can be accurately controlled and measured in both in vitro and in vivo systems. Muscle is highly responsive to changes in functional demands. Overload leads to hypertrophy, whilst decreased load force generation and immobilisation with the muscle in the shortened position leads to atrophy. For instance it has been shown that stretch is an important mechanical signal for the production of more actin and myosin filaments and the addition of new sarcomeres in series and in parallel. This is preceded by upregulation of transcription of the appropriate genes some of which such as the myosin isoforms markedly change the muscle phenotype. Indeed, the switch in the expression induced by mechanical activity of myosin heavy chain genes which encode different molecular motors is a means via which the tissue adapts to a given type of physical activity. As far as increase in mass is concerned, our group have cloned the cDNA of a splice variant of IGF-1 that is produced by active muscle that appears to be the factor that controls local tissue repair, maintenance and remodelling. From its sequence it can be seen that it is derived from the IGF-1 gene by alternative splicing but it has different exons to the liver isoforms. It has a 52 base insert in the E domain which alters the reading frame of the 3' end. Therefore, this splice variant of IGF-1 is likely to bind to a different binding protein which exists in the interstitial tissue spaces of muscle, neuronal tissue and bone. This would be expected to localise its action as it would be unstable in the unbound form which is important as its production would not disturb the glucose homeostasis unduly. This new growth factor has been called mechano growth factor (MGF) to distinguish it from the liver IGFs which have a systemic mode of action. Although the liver is usually thought of as the source of circulating IGF-1, it has recently been shown that during exercise skeletal muscle not only produces much of the circulating IGF-1 but active musculature also utilises most of the IGF-I produced. We have cloned both an autocrine and endocrine IGF-1, both of which are upregulated in cardiac as well as skeletal muscle when subjected to overload. It has been shown that, in contrast to normal muscle, MGF is not detectable in dystrophic mdx muscles even when subjected to stretch and stretch combined with electrical stimulation. This is true for muscular dystrophies that are due to the lack of dystrophin (X-linked) and due to a laminin deficiency (autosomal), thus indicating that the dystrophin cytoskeletal complex may be involved in the mechanotransduction mechanism. When this complex is defective the necessary systemic as well as autocrine IGF-1 growth factors required for local repair are not produced and the ensuing cell death results in progressive loss of muscle mass. The discovery of the locally produced IGF-1 appears to provide the link between the mechanical stimulus and the activation of gene expression.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1991

[Sports in ankylosing spondylitis].

As therapy of ankylosing spondylarthritis still remains empirical, gymnastics and sports are of particular importance within the treatment of this disease. They aim at the improvement or at least the preservation of mobility, force and endurance. By those means an eventual immobilisation of the axial skeleton or the peripheral joints should take place in a position as favourable to function as possible. Various joint mobilisation techniques as well as muscle stretching are used to improve mobility. The latter thus pointedly prevents muscular disbalances. Various training methods are able to improve muscular performance. Slow dynamic force training can be used in gymnastic lessons as well as in home programmes. Maximal and staying power can thus be increased. Aerobic muscular training favours general efficiency, has a positive influence on risk factors of cardiac and vascular diseases and improves thoracic excursion. Motivation of the patient is correlated with the diversion of exercise, therapies and sport activities. The suitability of these measures are to be judged by expected maximal strain, the control of motion pattern, the effect of external forces as well as by the hazard to fall. Each and every sport activity has to be accompanied by supportive gymnastics. The most important sport disciplines are evaluated.

Gymnastics↗
PubMed2006

The effects of a twenty-four-week aquatic training program on muscular strength performance in healthy elderly women.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of a 24-week aquatic training (AT) program, which included both aerobic and resistance components, on muscle strength (isometric and dynamic), flexibility, and functional mobility in healthy women over 60 years of age. Twenty-two subjects were assigned randomly to either an AT (n = 12) or a control (C, n = 10) group. Volunteers participated in a supervised shallow-water exercise program for 60 minutes a day, 3 days a week; the exercise program consisted of a 10-minute warm-up and stretching, 25 minutes of endurance-type exercise (dancing) at 80% of heart rate (HR)(max), 20 minutes of upper- and lower-body resistance exercises with specialized water-resistance equipment, and a 5-minute cool down. Maximal isometric torque of knee extensors (KEXT) and knee flexors (KFLEX) were evaluated by a Cybex Norm dynamometer, grip strength (HGR) was evaluated using a Jamar hydraulic dynamometer, and dynamic strength was evaluated via the 3 repetition maximum (3RM) test for chest press, knee extension, lat pull down, and leg press. Jumping performance was evaluated using the squat jump (SJ), functional mobility with the timed up-and-go (TUG) test, and trunk flexion with the sit-and-reach test. Body composition was measured using the bioelectrical impedance method. The AT induced significant improvements in KEXT (10.5%) and KFLEX (13.4%) peak torque, HGR strength (13%), 3RM (25.7-29.4%), SJ (24.6%), sit-and-reach (11.6%), and TUG (19.8%) performance. The AT group demonstrated a significant increase in lean body mass (3.4%). No significant changes in these variables were observed in the C group. The results indicate that AT, with both aerobic and resistance components, is an alternative training method for improving neuromuscular and functional fitness performance in healthy elderly women.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Symptoms and clinical impressions of patients seen in a postpolio clinic.

A retrospective study was performed to identify symptoms and clinical findings in postpolio patients seen in a postpolio clinic. Charts of 79 consecutive patients (28 men and 51 women) with histories and examinations compatible with the diagnosis of poliomyelitis were reviewed. The average current age of our patients was 47.3 +/- 10.4 years; the average age at onset of acute polio was 10.4 +/- 9.4 years; and the average number of years since function was first noticed to decline was 7.8 +/- 6.4 years. The most common symptoms acknowledged were progressive weakness (87%), muscle pain (86%), fatigue (86%), decreased activity level (78%), joint pain (77%), and back pain (70%). The clinical impression in most of these patients was arthritis/arthralgia (71% of the patients) or muscle overuse or myofascial pain (71%). Eleven (14%) had evidence of nerve compression, although 39% complained of sensory loss. Five patients had respiratory problems that required evaluation. Recommendations proved helpful for 78% of those seen at follow-up. These recommendations included pacing, energy conservation (planning, use of wheelchair or motorized scooter), gentle stretching or strengthening exercise, use of orthotic devices, weight loss or nutritional counseling, gentle aerobic exercise, use of a cane, and use of adaptive equipment.

Activities of Daily Living↗