Research article - (2022)21, 171 - 181
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2022.171
Effects of High-Intensity Stretch with Moderate Pain and Maximal Intensity Stretch without Pain on Flexibility
Genki Hatano1, Shingo Matsuo2, Yuji Asai2, Shigeyuki Suzuki3,4, Masahiro Iwata2,
1Institute of Sport Science, ASICS Corporation, Kobe, Japan
2Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nihon Fukushi University, Handa, Japan
3Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
4Department of Health and Sports Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Asahi University, Mizuho, Japan

Masahiro Iwata
✉ 26-2 Higashihaemi-cho, Handa, Aichi 475-0012, Japan
Email: iwata-m@n-fukushi.ac.jp
Received: 20-12-2021 -- Accepted: 09-03-2022
Published (online): 01-06-2022

ABSTRACT

In this study, we aimed to identify the time course effects of different intensities of static stretch (SST) (maximal intensity without pain vs. high-intensity with moderate pain) on flexibility. This study included 16 healthy students (8 men and 8 women) who performed 1) 5-minute SST at 100%, 2) 110%, and 3) 120% intensity, as well as 4) no stretching (control) in a random sequence on four separate days. Static passive torque (SPT), hamstring electromyography (EMG), and pain intensity were continuously recorded during SST. We assessed markers of stiffness, range of motion (ROM), and maximal dynamic passive torque (DPTmax) before SST and 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 minutes after SST. Stiffness decreased and ROM and DPTmax increased significantly immediately after SST at the three different intensity levels (p < 0.05). The effects of SST at 120% intensity were stronger and lasted longer than the effects of SST at 110% and 100% intensity (stiffness: -17%, -9%, and -7%, respectively; ROM: 14%, 10%, and 6%, respectively; DPTmax: 15%, 15%, and 9%, respectively). SPT decreased after SST at all intensities (p < 0.05). SST at 120% intensity caused a significantly greater reduction in SPT than SST at 100% intensity (p < 0.05). Pain intensity and EMG activity increased immediately after the onset of SST at 120% intensity (p < 0.05), although these responses were attenuated over time. Stretching intensity significantly correlated with the degree of change in ROM and stiffness (p < 0.05). These results support our hypothesis that stretch-induced flexibility is amplified and prolonged with an increase in stretch intensity beyond the pain threshold. Additional studies with more participants and different demographics are necessary to examine the generalizability of these findings.

Key words: Passive torque, stiffness, torque-angle curve, joint range of motion

Key Points
  • This study evaluated the effect of different intensity levels of static stretching on flexibility.
  • Stiffness decreased, whereas ROM and DPTmax increased dose-dependently with stretching intensity.
  • Stretching intensity beyond the pain threshold resulted in improved flexibility.








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