Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2022 Oct 14;19(20):13254.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph192013254.

Using Long-Duration Static Stretch Training to Counteract Strength and Flexibility Deficits in Moderately Trained Participants

Konstantin Warneke  1 , Lars H Lohmann  2 , Michael Keiner  3 , Carl-M Wagner  3 , Tobias Schmidt  4 , Klaus Wirth  5 , Astrid Zech  6 , Stephan Schiemann  1 , David Behm  7
Affiliations

Using Long-Duration Static Stretch Training to Counteract Strength and Flexibility Deficits in Moderately Trained Participants

Konstantin Warneke et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Many sports injuries result in surgery and prolonged periods of immobilization, which may lead to significant atrophy accompanied by loss of maximal strength and range of motion and, therefore, a weak-leg/strong-leg ratio (as an imbalance index ∆ ) lower than 1. Consequently, there are common rehabilitation programs that aim to enhance maximal strength, muscle thickness and flexibility; however, the literature demonstrates existing strength imbalances after weeks of rehabilitation. Since no study has previously been conducted to investigate the effects of long-duration static stretch training to treat muscular imbalances, the present research aims to determine the possibility of counteracting imbalances in maximal strength and range of motion. Thirty-nine athletic participants with significant calf muscle imbalances in maximal strength and range of motion were divided into an intervention group (one-hour daily plantar flexors static stretching of the weaker leg for six weeks) and a control group to evaluate the effects on maximal strength and range of motion with extended and bent knee joint. Results show significant increases in maximal strength (d = 0.84-1.61, p < 0.001-0.005) and range of motion (d = 0.92-1.49, p < 0.001-0.002) following six weeks of static stretching. Group * time effects (p < 0.001-0.004, η² = 0.22-0.55) revealed ∆ changes in the intervention group from 0.87 to 1.03 for maximal strength and from 0.92 to 1.11 in range of motion. The results provide evidence for the use of six weeks of daily, one hour stretching to counteract muscular imbalances. Related research in clinical settings after surgery is suggested.

Keywords: flexibility; long-lasting stretching; maximal strength; maximal voluntary contraction; muscular imbalance; rehabilitation.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow chart illustrating inclusion for the study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Measurement of MSt in the extended knee joint (a) and the flexed knee joint (b).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Measurement of ROM via KtW (a) and ORTH (b).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Graphical illustration of progression in ∆MSt in IG and CG following a one-hour daily stretching training of the plantar flexors in MVC180 (a) and MVC90 (b).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Graphical illustration of progression in ∆MSt in IG and CG following a one-hour daily stretching training of the plantar flexors in MVC180 (a) and MVC90 (b).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Graphical illustration of progression in ∆ROM in IG and CG following a one-hour daily stretching training of the plantar flexors on KtW (a) and ORTH (b).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Graphical illustration of progression in ∆ROM in IG and CG following a one-hour daily stretching training of the plantar flexors on KtW (a) and ORTH (b).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Williams T.D., Tolusso D.V., Fedewa M.V., Esco M.R. Comparison of Periodized and Non-Periodized Resistance Training on Maximal Strength: A Meta-Analysis. Sport. Med. 2017;47:2083–2100. doi: 10.1007/s40279-017-0734-y. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Suchomel T.J., Nimphius S., Bellon C.R., Stone M.H. The Importance of Muscular Strength: Training Considerations. Sport. Med. 2018;48:765–785. doi: 10.1007/s40279-018-0862-z. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Wisløff U., Castagna C., Helgerud J., Jones R., Hoff J. Strong Correlation of Maximal Squat Strength with Sprint Performance and Vertical Jump Height in Elite Soccer Players. Br. J. Sport. Med. 2004;38:285–288. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2002.002071. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Moffit T.J., Montgomery M.M., Lockie R.G., Pamukoff D.N. Association between Knee- and Hip-Extensor Strength and Running-Related Injury Biomechanics in Collegiate Distance Runners. J. Athl. Train. 2020;55:1262–1269. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-0532.19. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Holzgrefe R.E., McCarthy T.P., Wilson J.M., Bariteau J.T., Labib S. Association of Strength Following Achilles Tendon Repair With Return to Same Level of Play in High-Level Athletes. Foot Ankle Int. 2020;41:1041–1048. doi: 10.1177/1071100720936276. - DOI - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources