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01-09-2019 | Electromyographic | Original Article

Unilateral hamstrings static stretching can impair the affected and contralateral knee extension force but improve unilateral drop jump height

Authors: Sarah L. Caldwell, Reagan L. S. Bilodeau, Megan J. Cox, Dakota Peddle, Tyler Cavanaugh, James D. Young, David G. Behm

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 9/2019

Abstract

Purpose

Prolonged static stretching (SS) in isolation (no dynamic warm-up) can impair muscle performance. There are conflicting reports whether impairments are present in antagonist and contralateral muscles. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of unilateral hamstrings SS on ipsilateral stretched and contralateral limbs’ strength and jump power.

Methods

The SS (four repetitions of 30-s) and control sessions involved unilateral testing of the stretched leg and contralateral leg for knee extension (KE) maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) force and electromyography (EMG), drop jump (DJ) height and contact time at 1-min post-stretching.

Results

There were significant KE MVIC force impairments for both the SS (p = 0.006, d = 0.3, − 8.1%) and contralateral (p = 0.02, d = 0.20, − 4.2%) leg. With normalized data, there was a near-significant (p = 0.1), small magnitude (d = 0.29), greater force impairment with the ipsilateral (93.0 ± 12.8% of pre-test) versus the contralateral (96.2 ± 9.1% of pre-test) KE MVIC force. DJ height significantly improved for the stretched leg (p = 0.03, d = 0.18, + 9.2%) with near-significant, improvements for the contralateral leg (p = 0.06, d = 0.22, + 12.1%). For the stretched leg, DJ contact time was significantly (p = 0.04, d = 0.18, + 3.4%) prolonged, but there was no significant change with the contralateral leg.

Conclusions

Unilateral hamstrings SS induced strength deficits in the ipsilateral and contralateral knee extension MVIC and a prolongation of the stretched leg DJ contact period. In anticipation of maximal force outputs, prolonged SS in isolation (no dynamic warm-up included) can have negative consequences on antagonist and contralateral muscle performance.

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Title: Unilateral hamstrings static stretching can impair the affected and contralateral knee extension force but improve unilateral drop jump height
Authors: Sarah L. Caldwell
Reagan L. S. Bilodeau
Megan J. Cox
Dakota Peddle
Tyler Cavanaugh
James D. Young
David G. Behm
Publication date: 01-09-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Electromyographic
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 9/2019
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-019-04182-x

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Unilateral hamstrings static stretching can impair the affected and contralateral knee extension force but improve unilateral drop jump height

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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