Acute and Chronic Effects of Static Stretching on Neuromuscular Properties: A Meta-Analytical Review

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-1-2023

Abstract

The aim of this review was to provide an overview of the recent findings on the acute and chronic effects of static stretching on joint behaviors and neuromuscular responses and to discuss the overall effects of acute and chronic static stretching on selected outcomes via meta-analyses, using a total of 50 recent studies. The results of our meta-analyses demonstrated that acute static stretching results in increased range of motion (ROM), decreased passive resistive torque (PRT), increased maximum tolerable PRT (PRTmax), decreased maximum voluntary isometric torque, decreased muscle–tendon unit stiffness, decreased muscle stiffness, decreased tendon stiffness, and decreased shear elastic modulus. Moreover, the chronic effects of static stretching included increased ROM, increased PRTmax, decreased muscle stiffness, and decreased shear elastic modulus (or shear wave speed). These results suggest that static stretching interventions have the potential to increase ROM and reduce the mechanical properties of muscle–tendon tissue, but they may not change corticospinal excitability and spinal reflex excitability or muscle architecture parameters.

Identifier

85181927040 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Applied Sciences Switzerland

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.3390/app132111979

e-ISSN

20763417

Issue

21

Volume

13

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