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  • Title: Effects of Contract-Relax, Static Stretching, and Isometric Contractions on Muscle-Tendon Mechanics.
    Author: Kay AD, Husbands-Beasley J, Blazevich AJ.
    Journal: Med Sci Sports Exerc; 2015 Oct; 47(10):2181-90. PubMed ID: 25668401.
    Abstract:
    INTRODUCTION: Loading characteristics of stretching techniques likely influence the specific mechanisms responsible for acute increases in range of motion (ROM). Therefore, the effects of a version of contract-relax (CR) proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching, static stretching (SS), and maximal isometric contraction (Iso) interventions were studied in 17 healthy human volunteers. METHODS: Passive ankle moment was recorded on an isokinetic dynamometer, with EMG recording from the triceps surae, simultaneous real-time motion analysis, and ultrasound-imaging-recorded gastrocnemius medialis muscle and Achilles tendon elongation. Subjects then performed each intervention randomly on separate days before reassessment. RESULTS: Significant increases in dorsiflexion ROM (2.5°-5.3°; P < 0.01) and reductions in whole muscle-tendon stiffness (10.1%-21.0%; P < 0.01) occurred under all conditions, with significantly greater changes detected following CR stretching (P < 0.05). Significant reductions in tendon stiffness were observed after CR stretching and Iso (17.7%-22.1%; P < 0.01) but not after SS (P > 0.05), whereas significant reductions in muscle stiffness occurred after CR stretching and SS (16.0%-20.5%; P < 0.01) but not after Iso (P > 0.05). Increases in peak passive moment (stretch tolerance) occurred after Iso (6.8%; P < 0.05), CR stretching (10.6%; P = 0.08), and SS (5.2%; P = 0.08); no difference in changes between conditions was found (P > 0.05). Significant correlations (rs = 0.69-0.82; P < 0.01) were observed between changes in peak passive moment and maximal ROM under all conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Although similar ROM increases occur after Iso and SS, changes in muscle and tendon stiffness are distinct. Concomitant reductions in muscle and tendon stiffness after CR stretching suggest a broader adaptive response that likely explains its superior efficacy in acutely increasing ROM. Although mechanical changes appear tissue-specific between interventions, similar increases in stretch tolerance after all interventions are strongly correlated with changes in ROM.
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