Review article - (2023)22, 464 - 474
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2023.465
Acute and Long-Term Effects of Static Stretching on Muscle-Tendon Unit Stiffness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Kosuke Takeuchi1,, Masatoshi Nakamura2, Taizan Fukaya3, Andreas Konrad4, Takamasa Mizuno5
1Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe International University, Kobe-shi, Hyogo, Japan
2Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Nishi Kyushu University, Kanzaki-cho, Saga, Japan
3Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Social Work Studies, Josai International University, Togane-shi, Chiba, Japan
4Institute of Human Movement Science, Sport and Health, Graz University, Graz, Austria
5Research Center of Health, Physical Fitness and Sports, Nagoya University, Nagoya-shi, Aichi, Japan

Kosuke Takeuchi
✉ Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe International University, 9-1-6 Koyocho-naka, Higashinada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 658-0032, Japan
Email: ktakeuchi@kobe-kiu.ac.jp
Received: 27-06-2023 -- Accepted: 03-08-2023
Published (online): 01-09-2023

ABSTRACT

Static stretching can increase the range of motion of a joint. Muscle-tendon unit stiffness (MTS) is potentially one of the main factors that influences the change in the range of motion after static stretching. However, to date, the effects of acute and long-term static stretching on MTS are not well understood. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the effects of acute and long-term static stretching training on MTS, in young healthy participants. PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO published before January 6, 2023, were searched and finally, 17 papers were included in the meta-analysis. Main meta-analysis was performed with a random-effect model and subgroup analyses, which included comparisons of sex (male vs. mixed sex and female) and muscle (hamstrings vs. plantar flexors) were also performed. Furthermore, a meta-regression was conducted to examine the effect of total stretching duration on MTS. For acute static stretching, the result of the meta-analysis showed a moderate decrease in MTS (effect size = -0.772, Z = -2.374, 95% confidence interval = -1.409 - -0.325, p = 0.018, I2 = 79.098). For long-term static stretching, there is no significant change in MTS (effect size = -0.608, Z = -1.761, 95% CI = -1.284 – 0.069, p = 0.078, I2 = 83.061). Subgroup analyses revealed no significant differences between sex (long-term, p = 0.209) or muscle (acute, p =0.295; long-term, p = 0.427). Moreover, there was a significant relationship between total stretching duration and MTS in acute static stretching (p = 0.011, R2 = 0.28), but not in long-term stretching (p = 0.085, R2 < 0.01). Whilst MTS decreased after acute static stretching, only a tendency of a decrease was seen after long-term stretching.

Key words: Stiffness, torque-angle curve, passive movement, hamstrings, plantar flexors

Key Points
  • The meta-analysis revealed that acute static stretching training can decrease muscle-tendon unit stiffness in young healthy participants.
  • Long-term static stretching did not change muscle-tendon unit stiffness.
  • There was a significant relationship between total stretching duration and muscle-tendon unit stiffness in acute static stretching, but not in long-term stretching.








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