The Rate of Force Development Obtained at Early Contraction Phase Is Not Influenced by Active Static Stretching

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of active static stretching on the maximal isometric muscle strength (maximal voluntary contraction [MVC]) and rate of force development (RFD) determined within time intervals of 30, 50, 100, and 200 milliseconds relative to the onset of muscle contraction. Fifteen men (aged 21.3 ± 2.4 years) were submitted on different days to the following tests: (a) familiarization session to the isokinetic dynamometer; (b) 2 maximal isometric contractions for knee extensors in the isokinetic dynamometer to determine MVC and RFD (control); and (c) 2 active static stretching exercises for the dominant leg extensors (10 × 30 seconds for each exercise with a 20-second rest interval between bouts). After stretching, the isokinetic test was repeated (poststretching). Conditions 2 and 3 were performed in random order. The RFD was considered as the mean slope of the moment-time curve at time intervals of 0-30, 0-50, 0-100; 0-150; and 0200 milliseconds relative to the onset of muscle contraction. The MVC was reduced after stretching (285 ± 59 vs. 271 ± 56 N · m, p < 0.01). The RFD at intervals of 0-30, 0-50, and 0-100 milliseconds was unchanged after stretching (p > 0.05). However, the RFD measured at intervals of 0-150 and 0-200 milliseconds was significantly lower after stretching (p < 0.01). It can be concluded that explosive muscular actions of a very short duration (<100 milliseconds) seem less affected by active static stretching when compared with actions using maximal muscle strength.

The Time-Course Changes in Knee Flexion Range of Motion, Muscle Strength, and Rate of Force Development After Static Stretching

“…The results obtained in this study showed no significant changes in early phase RFD, i.e., RFD at 50 m, but a large decrease in RFD at 200 m immediately after the SS intervention, which is consistent with previous studies ( Morais de Oliveira et al, 2012 ; Trajano et al, 2019 ; Nakamura et al, 2021b ). Interestingly, we expanded the knowledge of these previous studies, and our results showed that RFD at 200 m significantly decreased 20 min after the SS intervention.…”

“…In addition to MVIC torque, rate of force development (RFD) can be an essential index for explosive muscle strength. Previous studies have shown that an SS intervention can decrease RFD, especially in the late phase of RFD (more than 100 m) ( Morais de Oliveira et al, 2012 ; Trajano et al, 2019 ; Nakamura et al, 2021b ). Andersen and Aagaard.…”

The relevance of stretch intensity and position—a systematic review

“…Regarding the 40 low quality studies, 25 had participants stretch to discomfort of which 15 in combination with a loaded stretch (Wessel and Wan, 1994 ; Chan et al, 2001 ; Mahieu et al, 2007 ; McClure et al, 2007 ; Mahieu et al, 2009 ; Meroni et al, 2010 ; Aguilar et al, 2012 ; de Oliveira et al, 2012 ; Hayes et al, 2012 ; Morais de Oliveira et al, 2012 ; Nakamura et al, 2012 ; Chen et al, 2013 ; Konrad and Tilp, 2014 ; McGrath et al, 2014 ; Freitas and Mil-Homens, 2015 ; Muanjai and Namsawang, 2015 ), four used therapists (Rodenburg et al, 1994 ; Cornelius et al, 1995 ; Fantini et al, 2006 ; O'Hora et al, 2011 ), while the remaining six made use of machines (Ryan et al, 2008a , b ; Winke et al, 2010 ; Herda et al, 2012 ; Mizuno et al, 2012 ; Cabido et al, 2014 ). In turn, of the 25 articles four suggested that the changes observed with stretching were due to stretch tolerance rather than mechanical (Mahieu et al, 2009 ; Hayes et al, 2012 ; Cabido et al, 2014 ; Konrad and Tilp, 2014 ).…”

Fatigue and rapid hamstring/quadriceps force capacity in professional soccer players

“…We suggest two possible hypotheses to explain the different effect of fatigue on H con :Q con and H ecc :Q con when compared with RFDH:Q obtained during early contraction phase. Although we have found that both maximal force and RFD recorded during early contraction phase were impaired by fatigue, some researches using different experimental designs (resistance training, muscle damage and stretching) have questioned whether a direct relationship between them exists (Holtermann et al, 2007;Oliveira et al, 2012). Thus, our first hypothesis is that physio-logical mechanisms underlying maximal force and RFD recorded during early contraction phase of hamstrings and quadriceps under fatigued state are not completely shared.…”