Research article - (2017)16, 514 - 520
The Acute Effects of Static and Cyclic Stretching on Muscle Stiffness and Hardness of Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle
Noriaki Maeda1,, Yukio Urabe1, Shogo Tsutsumi1, Shogo Sakai1, Hironori Fujishita1, Toshiki Kobayashi2, Makoto Asaeda3, Kazuhiko Hirata3, Yukio Mikami4, Hiroaki Kimura4
1Division of Sports Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
2Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University of Science, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
3Department of Sports Medical Center, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
4Department of Rehabilitation, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan

Noriaki Maeda
✉ 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, 734-8553 Hiroshima, Japan
Email: norimmi@hiroshima-u.ac.jp
Received: 14-09-2017 -- Accepted: 28-09-2017
Published (online): 1-12-2017

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to clarify the acute effects of static stretching (SS) and cyclic stretching (CS) on muscle stiffness and hardness of the medial gastrocnemius muscle (MG) by using ultrasonography, range of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint and ankle plantar flexor. Twenty healthy men participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to SS, CS and control conditions. Each session consisted of a standard 5-minute cycle warm-up, accompanied by one of the subsequent conditions in another day: (a) 2 minutes static stretching, (b) 2 minutes cyclic stretching, (c) control. Maximum ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM max) and normalized peak torque (NPT) of ankle plantar flexor were measured in the pre- and post-stretching. To assess muscle stiffness, muscle-tendon junction (MTJ) displacement (the length changes in tendon and muscle) and MTJ angle (the angle made by the tendon of insertion and muscle fascicle) of MG were measured using ultrasonography at an ankle dorsiflexion angle of –10°, 0°, 10° and 20° before and after SS and CS for 2 minutes in the pre- and post-stretching. MG hardness was measured using ultrasound real-time tissue elastography (RTE). The results of this study indicate a significant effect of SS for ROM maximum, MTJ angle (0°, 10°, 20°) and RTE (10°, 20°) compared with CS (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in MTJ displacement between SS and CS. CS was associated with significantly higher NPT values than SS. This study suggests that SS of 2 minutes’ hold duration significantly affected muscle stiffness and hardness compared with CS. In addition, CS may contribute to the elongation of muscle tissue and increased muscle strength.

Key words: Static stretching, cyclic stretching, muscle stiffness, muscle hardness, real-time tissue elastograpy

Key Points
  • This study examined the acute effects of static and cyclic stretching on muscle stiffness and hardness
  • SS of 2 minutes’ hold duration significantly affected in muscle stiffness and hardness compared with CS.
  • CS may contribute to the elongation of muscle tissue and increased muscle strength.








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