Comparing the Effects of Different Durations of Statistic Stretching on Muscle Functions/Characteristics: Measurement of Rectus Femoris

Abstract

[Purpose] To compare the effects of different durations of static stretching (SS) on muscle functions/characteristics, and to clarify the relationships among these. [Participants and Methods] SS was applied to the rectus femoris of 31 healthy male adults for 2 short times (15 and 60 seconds), and the functions (passive knee flexion range of motion: ROM, peak torque for knee extension, electromechanical delay, and rate of force development) and characteristics (tone, stiffness, and elasticity) of the muscle were compared among the 15-second, 60-second, and control conditions. [Results] The ROM increased under the 15- and 60-second conditions, but no changes were observed in other muscle functions or characteristics. [Conclusion] Although the ROM increased after SS, the relationship between them remained unclear, as there were no changes in muscle characteristics, suggesting that the ROM increase resulted from alterations in the sense of extension and pain perception (tolerance), rather than structural changes in the muscle.