Dynamic Stretching Training and Muscle Tendon Unit

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a 5-week dynamic stretching exercise training on muscle-tendon unit of gastrocnemius muscle.

Detailed Description
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Muscle stretching is a common practice applied in warm-up process 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. The effects of stretching depend on the type, duration and timing of stretching. However, the acute and chronic effects of a stretching can be different in the same muscle. 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. Dynamic type is reported to improve flexibility and range of motion better. But there is still debate over which prescription provides the best results in terms of flexibility, power, performance or injury protection. And the answer to the question what happens to the viscoelastic properties of a muscle when it is stretched dynamically for some period of time has not been clearly established. This study is planned to investigate the effect of a 5-week dynamic stretching exercise training on muscle tendon unit of gastrocnemius muscle. The effects of the training program will be assessed by ultrasound.

Official Title
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Effects of Dynamic Stretching Exercise Training on Muscle Tendon Unit

Conditions
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Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: stretching exercise


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 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: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: dynamic stretching exercise<br>This group will perform dynamic stretching exercise to their left side gastrocnemius muscles for 5 weeks (5 days a week, 3 sets of exercise a day, each set including 5 repetitions of dynamic stretching lasting 45 seconds) | Other: stretching exercise<br>* dynamic stretching exercises with 5 repetitions, each lasting 45 seconds, for 5 days a week and 3 times a day<br>|
| No Intervention: control<br>this group will not perform any stretching exercises for 5 weeks | |

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 dynamic exercise training of 5 week will be followed | at the end of 5 weeks of training | 
| pennation angle | change in pennation angle of the gastrocnemius muscle with dynamic stretching exercise training | at the end of 5 weeks of training | 
| muscle thickness | change in muscle thickness of the gastrocnemius muscle with dynamic stretching exercise training will be measured by ultrasound | at the end of 5 weeks of training | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| range of ankle dorsiflexion | change in range of ankle dorsiflexion with the training program will be assessed with a universal goniometer | at the end of 5 weeks of training | 

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