Author(s): SEGUEL, J.M., REINER, M., FISCHER, J., SCHÖPFLIN, A., TILP, M., BEHN, D.G., KONRAD, A., Institution: UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ, Country: AUSTRIA, Abstract-ID: 810

INTRODUCTION:
Static stretching (SS) techniques have been shown to improve a joint’s range of motion (ROM), both acutely after one bout of stretching and chronically after stretch training for several weeks. Furthermore, acute static stretching can also improve the flexibility of non-adjacent joints, for example, the contralateral joint, or on a heterologous region (i.e. increase in ROM in lower body ROM when stretching upper body). However, to our best knowledge, there is no evidence of an increase in ROM in heterologous regions after a chronic intervention of static stretching. This study aimed to investigate the effects of 7 weeks of static stretching of the Pectoralis Major muscle on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion
METHODS:
Thirty-three participants were divided into two groups (intervention n=18; control n=15), and their ankle dorsiflexion ROM was assessed before and after a 7-week intervention program. Ankle dorsiflexion ROM was passively assessed with a dynamometer device (Con Trex Mj, CMV AG, Dübendorf, Switzerland) in both groups. The intervention consisted of three static stretching exercises for the Pectoralis Major performed three times a week for 5 minutes each (total stretching time = 15 minutes) with an intensity at the point of discomfort. The control group did not perform any additional stretching exercises besides their normal exercise routine.
RESULTS:
Analysis of Variance revealed no significant changes between groups as well as between pre-and post-intervention.
CONCLUSION:
There is vast evidence that a single bout of SS can increase ROM of non-stretched body regions, either due to strain transfer along myofascial chains, or to an increase in global pain perception. However, our data did not show significant long-term changes in this regard. This suggests that, if the objective is to improve the range of motion in a particular joint, the advisable would be to intervene in the involved muscle with exercises targeting the enhancement of ROM, such as stretching or resistance training.