Abstract
Background
Static stretching (SS) can impair performance and increase range of motion of a non-exercised or non-stretched muscle, respectively. An underdeveloped research area is the effect of unilateral stretching on non-local force output.
Objective
The objective of this review was to describe the effects of unilateral SS on contralateral, non-stretched, muscle force and identify gaps in the literature.
Methods
A systematic literature search following preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analyses Protocols guidelines was performed according to prescribed inclusion and exclusion criteria. Weighted means and ranges highlighted the non-local force output response to unilateral stretching. The physiotherapy evidence database scale was used to assess study risk of bias and methodological quality.
Results
Unilateral stretching protocols from six studies involved 6.3 ± 2 repetitions of 36.3 ± 7.4 s with 19.3 ± 5.7 s recovery between stretches. The mean stretch-induced force deficits exhibited small magnitude effect sizes for both the stretched (−6.7 ± 7.1%, d = −0.35: 0.01 to −1.8) and contralateral, non-stretched, muscles (−4.0 ± 4.9%, d = , 0.22: 0.08 to 1.1). Control measures exhibited trivial deficits.
Conclusion
The limited literature examining non-local effects of prolonged SS revealed that both the stretched and contralateral, non-stretched, limbs of young adults demonstrate small magnitude force deficits. However, the frequency of studies with these effects were similar with three measures demonstrating deficits, and four measures showing trivial changes. These results highlight the possible global (non-local) effects of prolonged SS. Further research should investigate effects of lower intensity stretching, upper versus lower body stretching, different age groups, incorporate full warm-ups, and identify predominant mechanisms among others.
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Data availability statement
All pertinent data are provided in the listed tables (PEDro scale analysis, individual and mean study characteristics) and figures (PRISMA flow chart).
Abbreviations
- EMG:
-
Electromyography
- MVC:
-
Maximal voluntary contraction
- PEDro:
-
Physiotherapy evidence database
- PIC:
-
Persistent inward currents
- PICOS:
-
Population, intervention, comparison and outcomes
- PRISMA-P:
-
Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols
- ROM:
-
Range of motion
- SS:
-
Static stretching
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All authors contributed to the conception, writing and revisions to the manuscript. DGB, SA, conducted the literature search and collected and collated the data. DGB wrote the first draft of the manuscript. JM, BD and UG provided input into the analysis and revised the original manuscript.
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Behm, D.G., Alizadeh, S., Drury, B. et al. Non-local acute stretching effects on strength performance in healthy young adults. Eur J Appl Physiol 121, 1517–1529 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-021-04657-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-021-04657-w