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Results for “Muscle Stretching Exercises”

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PubMed1986

The mechanical efficiency of locomotion in men and women with special emphasis on stretch-shortening cycle exercises.

The mechanical efficiency of the leg extensor musculature of men and women was examined with a special "sledge ergometer". The subjects (ten males and ten females) performed pure positive work, pure negative work and a combination of negative and positive work (stretch-shortening cycle). The mechanical efficiency of pure positive work was on average 19.8 +/- 1.2% for female subjects and 17.4 +/- 1.2% for male subjects (t = 4.12, P less than 0.001), although the work intensity was equal in both groups. The mechanical efficiency of pure negative work was slightly lower in women than in men (59.3 +/- 14.4% vs 75.6 +/- 29.3%). The mechanical efficiency of positive work (eta +) in a stretch-shortening cycle exercise was 38.1 +/- 6.8% in men and 35.5 +/- 6.9% in women. The utilization of prestretch was better for female subjects at low prestretch levels, whereas males showed greater potentiation of elastic energy at higher prestretch levels. Regarding absolute Wel (work due to elasticity) values, male subjects showed greater (P less than 0.001) values than females (189 +/- 44 J vs 115 +/- 36 J, respectively). Fundamental differences in neuromuscular functions in men and women might cause the differences in the results obtained.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Physical activity counseling for older women.

Physical inactivity is a major factor in increasing women's risk for chronic disease, disability, and premature mortality. This study compared the effectiveness of five behavioral counseling (BC) sessions with a comparison group receiving one BC session based on the five A's (ask, advise, assist, arrange, and agree) to increase moderate-intensity physical activity, muscle strengthening, and stretching activity. The health promotion model provided the framework for the intervention. A pretest/posttest comparison group design was used, with random assignment of 46 women recruited from an urban midwestern community. A significant group interaction was found only for cardiorespiratory fitness (p < .001). Significant time effects were found (p < .001) for both groups in increasing handgrip, leg strength, and flexibility. BC is a promising intervention to achieve physical activity behavior change with older women.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

The influence of fatigue on damage from eccentric contractions in the gastrocnemius muscle of the cat.

Eccentric exercise is unique in that it can lead to muscle damage and soreness. Concentric exercise is not accompanied by evidence of damage. There are reports in the literature that muscle fatigue is a factor determining the amount of damage from eccentric exercise. Our theory for the damage process predicts that susceptibility for damage is independent of fatigue. Experiments were carried out to test this prediction as well as to seek other evidence in support of our theory. Comparisons were made between the effects of eccentric and concentric contractions. The nerve supply to the medial gastrocnemius muscle of the anaesthetized cat was divided into three equal portions in terms of the tension they generated. In the first experiment a muscle portion was fatigued by giving it 200 shortening contractions over 12 mm at a shortening speed of 50 mm s(-1). This led to a mean fall in isometric tension (37 +/- 4%) without a significant shift in the optimum length for peak active tension. Giving the fatigued muscle 10 eccentric contractions, active stretches over 6 mm at 50 mm s(-1), beginning from the muscle's optimum length led to a further fall in tension (11% +/- 7%) and a significant shift in optimum length (3.7 mm +/- 0.6 mm) in the direction of longer muscle lengths. The shift in optimum was taken as an indicator of muscle damage. This shift was not significantly different from that seen after eccentric contractions carried out on an unfatigued muscle. After a series of eccentric or concentric contractions, tension at the end of a ramp shortening of 6 mm at 10 mm s(-1) fell more than isometric tension, and by near equal amounts for the two kinds of contractions. In an unfatigued muscle, if tension was altered by changing the rate of stimulation, the fall in shortening tension was greater than after either concentric or eccentric contractions. These observations were seen to be consistent with predictions of the proposed mechanism for the damage process.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Some reflections and hypotheses on the pathophysiology of female urinary incontinence.

It is proposed that opening and closure of the proximal urethra and bladder neck are regulated by a battery of surrounding structures, the most important being the pubourethral-vesical ligaments, the suburethral vaginal wall, 'the hammock', the pubococcygeus muscles, the levator plate and the connective tissue which like glue connects these structures to each other. Inappropriate function in one of these structures can, to some extent, be compensated for by an improved function in another hereby maintaining continence. However, a significantly deteriorated function in the support of urethra--normally maintained by the pubourethral/pubovesical ligaments, the pubococcygeus muscles and suburethral vaginal wall--will result in pronounced stress incontinence. Severe defects in these structures can generally not be compensated for by exercises of the pelvic muscles. This is true, in particular, if there is also a defect function in the connective tissue which 'glues' the urogenital structures to each other. Under such circumstances surgical procedures have to be considered to alleviate the patients symptoms. What is said so far must not exclude the importance of recognizing the role of the internal urethral structures to maintain continence, in particular the quality of urethral muscles, connective tissue and vascularization. In some specific cases of mixed incontinence it can be speculated whether the urge symptom can be caused by an anatomical dysfunction causing the proximal urethra and the bladder neck to remain involuntarily open or to open promptly at even minor pressure provocations. If so distension of the bladder neck and proximal urethra may activate stretch receptors located here which will induce uninhibited detrusor contractions. The presence of estrogen receptors in many of the structures involved in preserving continence may explain the increased prevalence of dysfunctions in the urogenital tract in postmenopausal patients, in particular in those not on hormone replacement therapy.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2000

[Does simple posterior dislocation of the elbow necessitate strict immobilization?].

OBJECTIVE: To research for the ideal treatment of isolated posterior dislocation with the elbow after reduction. METHODS: 36 patients of isolated posterior dislocation of the elbow after closed reduction (male 26, female 10; left 14, right 22; dominant extremity 21, undominant extremity 15; average age 22) were examined by varus and valgus stress test and push-draw test. Satisfactory stability from 30 degrees to 130 degrees flexion of the elbow was found in all patients. For the 30 patients below 35 years old, long-arm posterior splint was applied to immobilize the elbow joint at 90 degrees flexion and pronation for one week. For 6 patients over 35 years old, we only immobilized the elbow joint for 3 to 5 days with a neck-wrist sling. Prompt active motion begin after the swelling and pain reduced slightly, but the last 30 extension was not allowed for the first 1 to 2 weeks. Forceful passive motion and stretching of the elbow joint were avoided in all patients. RESULTS: The average follow-up time was 9 months (3 - 15 months). Range of motion and muscle power were regained within 3 - 4 months. 32 patients rehabilitated completely and 4 of the 6 patients decreased extension for 5 degrees - 10 degrees. No unstable symptoms and signs or recurrent dislocation were found. No ectopic calcification or post-traumatic arthritic changes were found on X-ray follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The ulna-humeral joint is one of the most highly constrained joints in the body with intrinsic stability. Bony structure is stable enough to allow for capsular and ligamental structure healing, even during active motion. For isolated posterior dislocation of the elbow joint, short-term immobilization and early functional exercise are desirable. Elbow instability and recurrent dislocation are rare and do not necessitate long-term strict immobilization.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1976

Biofeedback treatment of foot drop after stroke compared with standard rehabilitation technique (part 2): effects on nerve conduction velocity and spasticity.

Peroneal nerve conduction velocity (NCV) was determined in 20 hemiplegic patients with chronic foot drop. At the initial visit, relative slowing of NCV of the affected leg was observed. The patients were randomly separated into two groups, and treated for five weeks by different therapies--group 1 by conventional physical exercise and group 2 by physical exercise plus biofeedback training. Of these patients, six with severe spasticity were selected from each group to investigate the change of spasticity by patellar tendon reflex. Although with biofeedback remarkable improvement of function was observed (and reported in an earlier paper), there was no significant change of NCV and spasticity.

Autonomic Nervous System↗

PubMed2003

Effects of jump training on passive mechanical stress and stiffness in rabbit skeletal muscle: role of collagen.

AIMS: This study evaluated the effect of a 15-week jump training period on mechanical parameters and collagen concentration of different muscle types in rabbits, at 50, 90 and 140 days of age. METHODS: Trained (T) animals were made to jump over obstacles in order to get food and water. The height of the obstacle was increased according to the animal's age. Control (C) animals were sedentary. Mechanical parameters (force, stress, stiffness) and collagen concentration were measured in Extensor Digitorum Longus (EDL), Rectus Femoris (RF), Semimembranosus Proprius (SMP) and Psoas Major (PSOAS). RESULTS: Both EDL and RF collagen concentrations and passive mechanical parameters increased between 50 and 140 days of age (P<0.001), whereas SMP and PSOAS collagen concentrations decreased (P<0.001). Soluble collagen concentration decreased similarly with age in all muscles and groups. Exercise training at 140 days induced a significant increase in force (EDL 20.4% and RF 15.3%, 0.01<P<0.05), stress (EDL 26.8% and RF 22.6%, P<0.001), and stiffness (EDL 13.2% and RF 16%, 0.001<P<0.05) with a greater collagen concentration (EDL 16.1% and RF 19.1%, 0.001<P<0.05). Finally, stiffness and stress are well correlated with collagen concentration in EDL and RF muscles at 140 days (0.74<r<0.84, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that jump training can increase muscle capabilities of strength and stiffness in fast-twitch mixed muscles with pennate architecture (EDL, RF). This increase is essentially mediated by a rise in cross-linked collagen fraction, coupled with a relative decrease in soluble collagen. The collagen covalent cross-links improve resistance and stability in force transmission processes during stretching.

Aging↗

PubMed1998

Limb contractures in progressive neuromuscular disease and the role of stretching, orthotics, and surgery.

Contractures are exceedingly common impairments in selected progressive NMD conditions, particularly those with excessive fibrosis and fatty infiltration into muscle (i.e., dystrophic myopathies) and more severe NMD conditions, resulting in significant weakness and wheel-chair reliance, such as SMA. Less than antigravity strength produces an inability to achieve full active range of motion. Static positioning of limbs (generally in flexion) and lack of weight bearing results in fixed contractures. This article has reviewed the prevalence and distribution of contractures in specific NMD conditions. Aggressive rehabilitation strategies, including stretching, positioning, splinting, upright weight bearing, and orthopaedic surgical management may help minimize the degree of disability in NMD patients with contractures.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2006

Pre-exercise stretching and sports related injuries: knowledge, attitudes and practices.

OBJECTIVE: Pre-exercise stretching (PES) has been common practice prior to participation in athletic events. Despite evidence for lack of benefit, many coaches continue to routinely instruct and prescribe stretching. This study assesses the knowledge, attitudes and practices of high school coaches regarding PES. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Multiple high schools in a Southeast Michigan county. PARTICIPANTS: Head coaches (n = 71) at ten county high schools completed the survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Knowledge, attitudes and practices of high school coaches regarding PES. RESULTS: The survey was completed by coaches at 10 of 11 public high schools with an overall response rate of 46%. Coaches stretch athletes for an average of 13 minutes prior to practice or competition. Almost 95% of coaches feel stretching is beneficial, specifically in decreasing injury risk. Nearly 73% believe that there are no drawbacks to stretching. The most significant reason cited for stretching is decreased injury risk. Coaches stated that personal experience and scientific evidence are the two factors that would most likely influence their future recommendations regarding PES. There are statistically significant differences in stretching practices between male and female coaches and experienced and inexperienced coaches. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the lack of evidence, nearly all coaches believe that PES prevents a wide array of injuries. Although coaches value personal experience in determining their PES practices, they are open to new scientific evidence, which should encourage the medical community to deliver current research.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Role of the exercise pressor reflex in rats with dilated cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: In heart failure, there is a sympathetically mediated hyperkinetic cardiovascular response to exercise that limits tolerance to physical activity. Alterations in skeletal muscle morphology and metabolism have led to the hypothesis that the exercise pressor reflex (EPR) becomes hyperactive after the development of cardiomyopathy and contributes to the exaggerated circulatory response elicited. METHODS AND RESULTS: To test this hypothesis, Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following groups: control, sham, and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM, induced by ischemic injury). Using transthoracic echocardiography, left ventricular fractional shortening was 47+/-2%, 44+/-1%, and 24+/-2% in control, sham, and DCM rats, respectively. Activation of the EPR by electrically induced static muscle contraction resulted in significantly larger increases in mean arterial pressure and heart rate in DCM animals (32+/-2 mm Hg, 13+/-1 bpm) compared with control (20+/-1 mm Hg, 8+/-1 bpm) and sham (20+/-2 mm Hg, 8+/-1 bpm) rats. Comparable results were obtained with selective stimulation of the mechanically sensitive component of the EPR by passive muscle stretch. The augmentations in EPR and mechanoreflex activity in DCM occurred progressively over a 10-week period, becoming greater as the severity of left ventricular dysfunction increased. CONCLUSIONS: In DCM, the potentiated cardiovascular response to static muscle contraction is mediated, in part, by an exaggerated EPR. The muscle mechanoreflex contributes significantly to the EPR dysfunction that develops.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Does strength training inhibit gains in range of motion from flexibility training in older adults?

Thirty-one untrained men between the ages of 50 and 74 (61 +/- 6 yr, mean +/- SD) were studied to compare the effects of strength and flexibility (SF) training, flexibility only (FO) training, and no training (inactive control group) on shoulder and hip range of motion. Fourteen of these subjects volunteered to participate in an SF training program three times per week for 10 wk. Ten others participated in an FO training program during this same time period, and the remaining seven subjects agreed to serve as an inactive control group by not participating in any regular exercise. The SF training consisted of a 3-min warm-up on a stationary bike, approximately 30 min of heavy resistance strength training, and about 10 min of static stretches performed before and after each training session. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), percentage of body fat, and muscular strength (three-repetition maximum and peak isokinetic torque) were assessed before and after training for the SF group. Shoulder abduction, shoulder flexion, and hip flexion were measured with a universal goniometer in all groups before and after the training period. The FO training consisted of the identical warm-up and stretching exercises used in the SF training but without strength training. The results indicate that the FO group increased its range of motion in shoulder abduction to a significantly greater extent than the SF group (P < 0.001), and none of the changes in range of motion for the SF group was significantly different than the changes in the control group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1994

Human neuromuscular adaptations that accompany changes in activity.

Neuromuscular adaptations probably occur at all levels of the motor pathway, following changes in muscular activity. Adaptations have been mostly investigated in muscle fibers after heavy-resistance and endurance training. In strength training the rapid improvement is due to poorly understood neural factors, with muscle fiber hypertrophy occurring rather later; fiber hyperplasia is probably unimportant. In contrast to other mammals, muscle fibers in humans do not readily change from "slow" to "fast" and vice versa, although there may be a period of plasticity in infancy especially responsive to weightbearing. A proportion of the changes in the fibers, following training, is probably brought about by stretch-activated mechanisms, in which second messengers express immediate early genes and the latter, in turn, promote the transcription of "muscle" genes; other cellular adaptations occur at the level of mRNA translation. In the spinal cord, adaptations following hemiparesis include a loss of functioning motor units. Impaired motor drive occurs not only in organic brain lesions but also after periods of disuse. In persons with amputations, the peripheral nerve stump undergoes degenerative changes; somatosensory cortical evoked responses, following stimulation of the stump, are diminished. It is possible that both sensory and motor cortical representations are increased for neighboring regions of the body.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1999

Pectoralis major rupture during gait training: case report.

Rupture of the pectoralis major muscle is rare. The majority of cases have been reported in young, healthy athletes during strenuous activities such as weight-lifting, wind surfing, and football. The injury is thought to result from either a forceful contraction of the muscle applied to an immovable object or a sudden stretching force applied to the contracting muscle. This report describes a case of a 79-year-old man with a history of severe degenerative joint disease of the right hip and a recent left transtibial amputation secondary to a failed arterial bypass procedure. During prosthetic training the patient developed acute pain in the left shoulder and left axilla, which prevented him from further ambulation. Physical examination was consistent with a partial rupture of the pectoralis major. The causative factors of pectoralis major rupture in this patient are reviewed. To our knowledge, this is the first such case reported.

Aged↗

PubMed1991

Hidden skills: a dynamic systems analysis of treadmill stepping during the first year.

When prelocomotor infants are supported on a motorized treadmill, they perform well-coordinated, alternating stepping movements that are kinematically similar to upright bipedal locomotion. This behavior appeared to be a component of independent walking that could not be recognized without the facilitating context of the treadmill. To understand the ontogenetic origins of treadmill stepping and its relation to later locomotion, we conducted a longitudinal study using an experimental strategy explicitly derived from dynamic systems theory. Dynamic systems theory postulates that new forms in behavior emerge from the cooperative interactions of multiple components within a task context. This approach focuses on the transitions, often nonlinear, where one preferred mode of behavior is replaced by a new form. Specific predictions about these transitions help uncover the processes by which development proceeds. Chapters II, III, and IV introduce dynamic principles of pattern formation and their application to development. In our application of these principles, we tested nine normal infants twice each month beginning from month 1 in a task where the treadmill speed was gradually scaled up and in an additional condition where each leg was driven by the treadmill at a different speed. Kinematic variables were derived from computerized movement analysis equipment and videotaped records. We also collected a number of anthropometric measurements, Bayley motor scores, and a behavioral mood scale for each month. Several infants stepped on the treadmill in their first month, but in all infants performance showed a rapidly rising slope from month 3 to month 6. Infants also showed corresponding improvement in adjustments to speed and relative coordination between the legs. In dynamic terminology, we found evidence that alternating stepping on the treadmill became an increasingly stable attractor during the middle months of the first year. Dynamic predictions that transitions would be characterized by increased variability and sensitivity to perturbation were borne out. Identifying the transitions enabled us to suggest a control parameter or variable moving the system into the stable response to the treadmill. This appeared to be the waning of flexor dominance in the legs during posture and movement that allowed the leg to be stretched back on the treadmill and so elicited the bilaterally alternating response. Further studies are needed to test this hypothesis. This dynamic analysis confirmed earlier suggestions that skill in general, and locomotion in particular, develops from the confluence of many participating elements and showed how emergent forms may result from changes in nonspecific components. A dynamic approach may be useful for understanding ontogenetic processes in other domains as well.

Exercise Test↗

PubMed1977

Left ventricular mechanoreceptors: a haemodynamic study.

1. To study the function of the left ventricular mechanoreceptors, a working left ventricle preparation was devised in dogs which permitted control of pressure and flow of the isolated perfused coronary circulation and of the flow of the isolated, separately perfused systemic circulation. The systemic circulation was perfused at a constant rate so that changes in systemic pressure reflected changes in systemic resistance.2. Increases in myocardial contractility produced by injection of catecholamines into the isolated, perfused coronary circulation produced a fall in the pressure (resistance) of the isolated, separately perfused (at a constant rate) systemic circulation.3. Completeness of isolation of the coronary and systemic circulations was shown by the marked difference in appearance times between the reflex hypotensive responses from catecholamine injections into the isolated coronary circulation and the direct hypertensive response from a similar injection when the circulations were connected as well as by the marked difference between the pressure pulses recorded simultaneously on both sides of the aortic balloon separating the two circulations.4. Myocardial beta receptor blockade produced by injection of propranolol into the isolated coronary circulation abolished or attenuated the changes in left ventricular myocardial contractility as well as the subsequent hypotensive responses following the similar injection of catecholamines.5. Electrical stimulation of a sympathetic nerve innervating the heart resulted in increases in left ventricular myocardial contractility and subsequent systemic hypotensive responses indistinguishable from those following injection of catecholamines.6. That distortion of the mechano- or stretch receptors in the left ventricular myocardium was the cause of the hypotensive responses was demonstrated by increasing left ventricular myocardial contractility by mechanically obstructing the left ventricular outflow which produced hypotensive responses similar to those following the injection of catecholamines or nerve stimulation.7. Bilateral high cervical vagotomy abolished the hypotensive responses following injection of catecholamines into the isolated coronary circulation or following left ventricular outflow obstruction in all but one instance, indicating the importance of vagal fibres to the afferent arm of the reflex.8. It is suggested that the left ventricular mechanoreceptors function normally to reduce the peripheral resistance in order to prepare the systemic circulation to receive the left ventricular output and, especially during exercise, to prepare the systemic circulation to receive the augmented cardiac output with a minimum alteration in the systemic blood pressure and to distribute this augmented output preferentially to the skeletal muscles.

Animals↗

PubMed1979

The psychosomatic theory of bronchial asthma.

The author discusses the development of the psychosomatic asthma theory as a paradigm of theory formation in psychomatic medicine. The first formulation of the theory was based on clinical and psychiatric observations. It was tested by psychological, physiological and experimental methods and as a result was reformulated and extended. In its present form it regards asthmatic breathing as a reaction of a predisposed personality structure (partly hereditary, partly acquired during a youth situation in which overprotection by a domineering parent played a large role), to an ambivalent conflict with a key figure. The resulting frustration is not acted out by aggressive, flight, or depressive behaviour, but inhibited; thereby the motoric and verbal discharges are displaced into (substituted by) a respiratory behaviour pattern, which is characterised by an abnormally forceful contraction of the abdominal muscles during the expiration. The resulting high intraabdominal pressure is transmitted into the thorax where it pushes the posterior membranaceous wall of the trachea and large bronchi forward into the lumen and thus produces a long stretched obstruction of the large airways. The passage of the air through the compressed large air passages under high pressure and low velocity is the mechanism which causes the typical wheeze and the other manifestations of the asthmatic airway obstruction. A hypothesis is suggested for the ways in which this psychoneurogenic respiratory behaviour contributes to the so-called bronchial hyper-reactivity and the secondary development of allergies.

Asthma↗

PubMed2004

Influence of muscle contraction on whiplash kinematics.

It is unclear whether reflexive muscle contraction in unaware occupants can alter spinal kinematics to mitigate injury in the unaware occupant subjected to whiplash loading. Whiplash injury likely occurs during the non-physiologic S-curvature phase of spinal kinematics, present during the first 100 msec after the initiation of T1 acceleration. Experimental investigations using human volunteers have reported 45 to 60 msec delays prior to electrical activity of the sternocleidomastoid. The effects of reflexive contraction of the neck muscles were investigated using a validated head-neck computational model consisting of head, cervical spine, and first thoracic vertebra. Intervertebral discs. spinal ligaments, and facet joints were modeled using discrete elements. Passive and active musculature were incorporated using the Hill-type muscle model. The computational model was subjected to 2.6 m/sec rear impact velocity, applied to T1. Reflexive muscle contraction in the unaware occupant model was incorporated using a 54-msec muscle delay, 13-msec electromechanical delay, and an 81-msec muscle rise time. Results of the unaware occupant model were compared to the model exercised without muscle contraction. Reflexive muscle contraction altered segmental angulations by less than 10% and facet joint capsular ligament distractions by less than 16% during the time of maximum S-curvature. At the C5-C6 and C6-C7 levels, muscle contraction increased capsular ligament distractions. Due to the nominal affect of reflexive muscle contraction on segmental angulations and facet joint capsular ligament distractions during S-curvature, it is unlikely that this contraction can alter the cervical kinematics responsible for whiplash injury.

Acceleration↗

PubMed1985

Stretching exercise and soccer: effect of stretching on range of motion in the lower extremity in connection with soccer training.

Forty-eight players from four senior, male soccer teams were tested for ranges of motion (ROM) in the lower extremity before, immediately after, and 24 h after different forms of soccer training. The players were tested after regular soccer training (A), after soccer training with contract-relax stretching prior to beginning the session (B), and after soccer training with stretching added at the end of the program (C). Each training session lasted 1.5 h. In group A all six ROMs were decreased 24 h after the training. In group B the only change in ROM noted was an increase in knee flexion directly after the training. In group C there was an increase in hip extension, hip flexion, and knee flexion directly after the training.

Adolescent↗