AIM: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of posterior thigh and leg stretching on leg flexion peak torque (PT), leg extension PT, the hamstrings-to-quadriceps (H:Q) ratio, and electromyographic (EMG) amplitude of the hamstrings and quadriceps in recreationally-active men. METHODS: Fifteen men (mean age + or - SD = 22.0 + or - 4.4 years; body mass = 82.7 + or - 16.1 kg; height = 173.1 + or - 6.8 cm) performed three maximal voluntary concentric isokinetic leg extension and flexion muscle actions at three randomly ordered angular velocities (60, 180, and 300 degrees x s(-1)) before and after hamstring and calf static stretching. The stretching protocol consisted of 1 unassisted and 3 assisted static stretching exercises designed to stretch the posterior muscles of the thigh and leg. Four repetitions of each stretch were held for 30 s with 20-s rest between repetitions. RESULTS: These findings indicated no significant (P>0.05) stretching-induced changes in leg flexion PT, leg extension PT, or EMG amplitude at 60, 180, or 300 degrees .s-1. However, the non-significant (P>0.05) 2-4% increases in leg extension PT combined with the non-significant (P>0.05) 1-2% decreases in leg flexion PT resulted in the significant (P < or = 0.05) 2-9% decreases in the H:Q ratio from pre- to post-stretching for all three velocities. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that static stretching of the hamstrings and calf muscles may decrease the H:Q ratio. These results may be useful for athletic trainers, physical therapists, and other allied health professionals who may use the H:Q ratio as a clinical assessment.
AIM: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of posterior thigh and leg stretching on leg flexion peak torque (PT), leg extension PT, the hamstrings-to-quadriceps (H:Q) ratio, and electromyographic (EMG) amplitude of the hamstrings and quadriceps in recreationally-active men. METHODS: Fifteen men (mean age + or - SD = 22.0 + or - 4.4 years; body mass = 82.7 + or - 16.1 kg; height = 173.1 + or - 6.8 cm) performed three maximal voluntary concentric isokinetic leg extension and flexion muscle actions at three randomly ordered angular velocities (60, 180, and 300 degrees x s(-1)) before and after hamstring and calf static stretching. The stretching protocol consisted of 1 unassisted and 3 assisted static stretching exercises designed to stretch the posterior muscles of the thigh and leg. Four repetitions of each stretch were held for 30 s with 20-s rest between repetitions. RESULTS: These findings indicated no significant (P>0.05) stretching-induced changes in leg flexion PT, leg extension PT, or EMG amplitude at 60, 180, or 300 degrees .s-1. However, the non-significant (P>0.05) 2-4% increases in leg extension PT combined with the non-significant (P>0.05) 1-2% decreases in leg flexion PT resulted in the significant (P < or = 0.05) 2-9% decreases in the H:Q ratio from pre- to post-stretching for all three velocities. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that static stretching of the hamstrings and calf muscles may decrease the H:Q ratio. These results may be useful for athletic trainers, physical therapists, and other allied health professionals who may use the H:Q ratio as a clinical assessment.
Authors: Pablo B Costa; Eric D Ryan; Trent J Herda; Ashley A Walter; Katherine M Hoge; Joel T Cramer Journal: Eur J Appl Physiol Date: 2009-09-26 Impact factor: 3.078
Authors: Ziad Al Tanoury; John F Zimmerman; Jyoti Rao; Daniel Sieiro; Harold M McNamara; Thomas Cherrier; Alejandra Rodríguez-delaRosa; Aurore Hick-Colin; Fanny Bousson; Charlotte Fugier-Schmucker; Fabio Marchiano; Bianca Habermann; Jérome Chal; Alexander P Nesmith; Svetlana Gapon; Erica Wagner; Vandana A Gupta; Rhonda Bassel-Duby; Eric N Olson; Adam E Cohen; Kevin Kit Parker; Olivier Pourquié Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2021-07-13 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: Alam R Saraiva; Victor M Reis; Pablo B Costa; Claudio M Bentes; Gabriel V Costa E Silva; Jefferson S Novaes Journal: J Hum Kinet Date: 2014-04-09 Impact factor: 2.193