How does stretching affect athletic performance and injury prevention?5 answersStretching plays a crucial role in enhancing athletic performance and preventing injuries. Research indicates that stretching exercises can increase muscle flexibility, decrease muscle stiffness, and improve joint range of motion. Studies show that post-competition stretching training can significantly improve athletes' physical flexibility, reducing the likelihood of sports injuries. Both acute and chronic stretching have been found to reduce musculotendinous injury incidence, particularly in running-based sports, by altering the force-length relationship and reducing musculotendinous stiffness. Additionally, incorporating stretching into warm-up programs has been shown to enhance flexibility, balance, and performance, leading to a decrease in sports injuries during practice. Overall, stretching is a valuable tool for athletes to optimize their performance and safeguard against injuries.
Is stretching beneficial?4 answersStretching has various benefits depending on the context. Yoga stretching has been shown to enhance parasympathetic nerve activity and improve stress hormones, potentially compensating for physical inactivity and increasing life expectancy. Passive, low-intensity stretching may not induce muscle hypertrophy, but when performed with tensile strain, especially when loaded or integrated into resistance training, it could promote muscle growth. In terms of gait improvement, stretching has shown positive effects on walking speed and stride length in frail elderly populations and those with symptomatic peripheral artery disease, but results are conflicting in healthy older adults. Additionally, both acute and chronic stretching can reduce musculotendinous injury incidence, particularly in running-based sports, and improve balance, potentially decreasing falls and associated injuries.
Does stretching in a reduce muscle strength?4 answersStretching can have an acute effect on muscle strength. Some studies suggest that static stretching does not reduce muscle strength immediately after stretching. However, other research indicates that prolonged static stretching can lead to a reduction in maximal force production. These studies suggest that the reduction in muscle strength may be due to a suppression of efferent neural drive and a decrease in the amplitude of persistent inward currents (PICs) in the motoneurons. It is important to note that the duration of stretching and the specific muscle being stretched may influence the effects on muscle strength. Overall, the evidence suggests that prolonged static stretching may have a negative impact on muscle strength, while shorter durations of stretching may not have the same effect.
What is the effect of stretching on recovery from exercise?3 answersStretching has been studied for its effects on recovery from exercise. Low-intensity passive static stretching has been found to have beneficial effects on perceived muscle soreness and recovery of muscle function after unaccustomed eccentric exercise, compared to high-intensity stretching or no stretching. However, high-intensity stretching may have harmful effects on muscle function and markers of muscle damage and inflammation. Additionally, stretching prior to exercise has not been found to have a preventive effect on muscle soreness, tenderness, and force loss from unaccustomed eccentric exercise. These findings suggest that low-intensity stretching may be more effective for recovery from exercise compared to high-intensity stretching or no stretching.
How long should you rest between strength training sessions?2 answersRest intervals between strength training sessions can vary depending on the training goal. For maximal strength development, rest intervals of 3-5 minutes between sets are recommended to maintain training intensity and allow for greater strength increases. When testing for maximal strength, 1-2 minutes rest between sets might be sufficient between repeated attempts. For muscular power, a minimum of 3 minutes rest should be prescribed between sets of repeated maximal effort movements. When training for muscular hypertrophy, shorter rest intervals of 30-60 seconds between sets have been associated with higher acute increases in growth hormone, which may contribute to the hypertrophic effect. For muscular endurance, an ideal strategy might be to perform resistance exercises in a circuit, with shorter rest intervals (e.g., 30 seconds) between exercises that involve dissimilar muscle groups, and longer rest intervals (e.g., 3 minutes) between exercises that involve similar muscle groups.
Does stretching your muscles make them stronger?4 answersStretching your muscles does not necessarily make them stronger. There is disagreement in the scientific community regarding the effects of stretching on muscle strength. Some studies suggest that acute stretching can actually reduce muscle strength performance, while others argue that the causes for this effect are still unclear and require further research. Although stretching can increase flexibility, it may decrease muscle strength. However, a novel stretching modality called "local vibration stretching" has been developed, which improves muscle extensibility without decreasing strength. It is important to note that the duration and intensity of stretching protocols can greatly influence the outcomes, and more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying the effects of stretching on muscle strength.