Affiliations: [a] Department of Movement and Training Sciences, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey | [b] Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, Turkey | [c] Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, Turkey
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Mustafa Kaya, Department of Movement and Training Sciences, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey. Tel.: +90 346 2191250; Fax: +90 346 2191251; E-mail: mustafakaya58@cumhuriyet.edu.tr.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Stretching is commonly used for clinical and sports reason but the effects vary on time and the technique used. PURPOSE: To determine the acute effects of static and dynamic stretching of gastrocnemius muscle on muscle-tendon unit (MTU) and dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) in the same individuals; to find out how long the stretching effects endure. METHODS: Twenty-eight males (mean age: 22.18 ± 2.58 years) were included in the study. A 45-s static stretching (SS) exercise was applied to the right leg 5 times and dynamic stretching (DS) of same duration to the other leg. Change in MTU was assessed by ultrasonography and active and passive ROM was measured with goniometer. All evaluations were performed before, immediately following, 5-min, 15-min and 30-min after stretching. RESULTS: Muscle thickness and pennation angle did not change over time with either techniques (p> 0.05). A significant muscle-tendon junction (MTJ) displacement occurred after the techniques (p< 0.05); the highest change was achieved after DS (p< 0.05). Both techniques improved active ROM values similarly (p< 0.05), but only dynamic stretching increased passive ROM significantly (p< 0.05). Active and passive ROM and MTJ displacement values at 30th – min were still higher than the baseline ones on the DS side (p< 0.05). However, SS increased active ROM angle immediately after application but this increment declined until the final measurement. CONCLUSION: We recommend using the dynamic stretching technique to achieve greater and longer lasting increases in tendon length and range of motion.
