Effects of Stretching on Passive Muscle Tension and Response to Eccentric Exercise

@article{LaRoche2006EffectsOS,
  title={Effects of Stretching on Passive Muscle Tension and Response to Eccentric Exercise},
  author={Dain P. LaRoche and Declan A. J. Connolly},
  journal={The American Journal of Sports Medicine},
  year={2006},
  volume={34},
  pages={1000 - 1007}
}
Background Stretching is used in an attempt to improve performance and reduce the risk of muscle injury, with little evidence to support its effectiveness. Hypothesis Four weeks of static or ballistic stretching can attenuate the increased soreness and decreased flexibility seen after eccentric exercise. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Twenty-nine male subjects were randomly assigned to a static stretching, ballistic stretching, or control group. On each of 4 consecutive days… 
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Highly Influential Citations
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Background Citations
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Methods Citations
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Results Citations
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127 Citations

Acute effects of static active or dynamic active stretching on eccentric-exercise-induced hamstring muscle damage.
TLDR
Prior active stretching could be useful for attenuating the symptoms of muscle damage after eccentric exercise and SAS is recommended over DAS as a stretching protocol in terms of strength, hamstring range of motion, and damage markers.
Effect of stretching on strength loss and pain after eccentric exercise.
TLDR
Stretch-induced strength loss was dependent on muscle length, such that strength was decreased with the muscle group in a shortened position, but not with the Muscle Group in a lengthened position.
A randomized controlled trial for the effect of passive stretching on measures of hamstring extensibility, passive stiffness, strength, and stretch tolerance.
Effects of flexibility training on eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage.
TLDR
The results suggest that both SS and PNF training are effective in attenuating eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage and that flexible muscles are less susceptible to the damage.
Comparison of Ballistic and Static Stretching on Hamstring Muscle Length Using an Equal Stretching Dose
TLDR
Post hoc analysis revealed that both static and ballistic stretching group produced greater increases in hamstring length than the control group, and the static stretching group demonstrated a statistically greater increase in hamstring musclelength than the ballistic stretch group.
Chronic Stretching and Voluntary Muscle Force
TLDR
The data suggest that 4 weeks of stretching have little effect on muscle strength, power, W, or length-tension relationship and it is suggested that individuals can routinely stretch following exercise to maintain flexibility but should avoid stretching prior to exercise requiring high levels of muscle force.
Muscle damage protection by low-intensity eccentric contractions remains for 2 weeks but not 3 weeks
TLDR
It is suggested that non-damaging eccentric exercise confers a protective effect against Max-Ecc, but the effect is attenuated between 1 and 2 weeks.
Can chronic stretching change the muscle‐tendon mechanical properties? A review
TLDR
Stretching interventions with 3‐ to 8‐week duration do not seem to change either the muscle or the tendon properties, although it increases the extensibility and tolerance to a greater tensile force.
The effects of flexibility training on exercise‐induced muscle damage in young men with limited hamstrings flexibility
TLDR
The stretching training protocol significantly increased hip ROM; however, it did not induce a protective effect on EIMD in men with tight hamstrings.
COMPARATIVE EFFECT OF ULTRASOUND THERAPY VERSUS STATIC STRETCHING ON THE EXTENSIBILITY OF HAMSTRING MUSCLES
TLDR
Comparison of the immediate effect of ultrasound (US) and static stretching exercise on the extensibility of hamstring muscles shows a significant increase in AKE when compared by sole treatment or control group.
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