Effect Of Static And Dynamic Stretching On Muscle Tendon Unit

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to investigate the acute effects of two different types of muscle stretching (static and dynamic) on muscle-tendon unit of gastrocnemius muscle by ultrasound and to follow how long the stretching effects are sustained.

Detailed Description
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Muscle stretching is a very common practice applied in warm-up process in order to enhance performance in sports and to prevent or decrease the risk of sports injury. Muscle stretching is also used for therapeutic purposes in many clinical conditions. It is generally performed in either static or dynamic manner. Muscle is brought to its lengthened position and is held at that point for a certain period of time in static stretching (SS). In dynamic stretching (DS), however, active movements of muscle take the joint through the range of motion and creates a stretch, but the muscle is not held in the end position. Although recent studies suggest that static stretching has adverse effects on performance, reduces maximal muscle force and is not successful in preventing non-contact injuries, as believed so; and the dynamic type therefore gaining popularity; it is reported that flexibility and range of motion can be improved by stretching as a consequence of the decrement in muscle stiffness. However, the effects of stretching depend on the type, duration and timing of stretching and there is still debate over which prescription provides the best results in terms of flexibility, power, performance or injury protection. And what happens to the viscoelastic properties of a muscle when it is stretched statically or dynamically is still not well documented. Ultrasound seems to be a good option as it offers an objective and a non-invasive way to expose the alteration in muscles and tendons due to stretching.

Official Title
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Investigation Of Muscle-Tendon Unit By Ultrasound After Static And Dynamic Stretching

Conditions
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Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: stretching exercises


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Healthy males, aged between 18-30 years Exclusion Criteria: Cases with history of recent musculoskeletal injuries or neurological diseases.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 30 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Screening
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: cases<br>static and dynamic stretching exercises | Other: stretching exercises<br>* static stretching exercise of 5 repetitions, with a duration of 45 seconds to the right gastrocnemius muscle and dynamic stretching exercise of 5 repetitions, with a duration of 45 seconds to the cases' left gastrocnemius muscles<br>* Other names: dynamic stretching exercise;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| muscle-tendon unit length | change in muscle tendon unit property with static and dynamic exercises will be followed by ultrasound before, right after and 5, 15 and 30 minutes after the stretching exercises | before stretching exercises and just after the stretching exercises and 5, 15 and 30 minutes after stretching | 
| pennation angle | change in pennation angle of the gastrocnemius muscle with static and dynamic exercises will be followed by ultrasound before, right after and 5, 15 and 30 minutes after the stretching exercises | before stretching exercises and just after the stretching exercises and 5, 15 and 30 minutes after stretching | 
| muscle thickness | change in muscle thickness of the gastrocnemius muscle with static and dynamic exercises will be followed by ultrasound before, right after and 5, 15 and 30 minutes after the stretching exercises | before stretching exercises and just after the stretching exercises and 5, 15 and 30 minutes after stretching | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| range of ankle dorsiflexion | change in range of ankle dorsiflexion with static and dynamic exercises will be followed by ultrasound before, right after and 5, 15 and 30 minutes after the stretching exercises | before stretching exercises and just after the stretching exercises and 5, 15 and 30 minutes after stretching | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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static stretching, dynamic stretching, muscle-tendon unit, ultrasound, Subjects