Acute static stretching with different volumes improves hamstring flexibility but not reactive strength index and leg stiffness in well-trained judo athletes
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of different volumes of static stretching exercises (SS) on the reactive strength index (RSI), leg stiffness (Kleg), and hamstring flexibility in well-trained judo athletes. Method: In total, 17 international level judo athletes (11 women and 6 men; age, 20.47 ± 1.59 years; experience in judo, 11.35 ± 1.84 years) were recruited for this study. The athletes completed three different SS sessions named low (LV–SS: 3.5 min), moderate (MV–SS: 7 min), and high volumes (HV–SS: 10.5 min), 72 h apart, in a randomized crossover study. Before and after each SS exercise session, hamstring flexibility, RSI and Kleg were evaluated by a sit-and-reach test and a Myotest accelerometric system, respectively. Results: Different volumes of SS exercises improved hamstring flexibility (p < .05); however, no one exercise was superior in improving hamstring flexibility than the other (p > .05). Different volumes of SS exercises neither improved nor reduced RSI and Kleg (p > .05). Conclusion: Judo athletes can use LV–SS, MV–SS, or HV-SS for hamstring flexibility enhancement, and SS exercises can be used as a part of a warm-up session prior to judo training or competition.
Keywords
References
Ayala, F., Croix, M.D.S., de Baranda, P.S. & Santonja, F. (2015). Acute effects of two different stretching techniques on isokinetic strength and power. Revista Andaluza de Medicina del Deporte, 8 (3), 93-102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ramd.2014.06.003
Avloniti, A., Chatzinikolaou, A., Fatouros, I.G., Avloniti, C., Protopapa, M., Draganidis, D., & Kambas, A. (2016). The acute effects of static stretching on speed and agility performance depend on stretch duration and conditioning level. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 30 (10): 2767-2773. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000000568
Akagi, R., & Takahashi, H. (2013). Acute effect of static stretching on hardness of the gastrocnemius muscle. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 45 (7): 1348-1354. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0b013e3182850e17
Andrade, D.C., Henriquez–Olguin, C., Beltran, A. R., Ramirez, M. A., Labarca, C., Cornejo, M., & Ramirez-Campillo, R. (2015). Effects of general, specific and combined warm-up on explosive muscular performance. Biology of Sport, 32 (2): 123. https://doi.org/10.5604/20831862.1140426
Andrejić, O., Tošić, S., & Knežević, O. (2012). Acute effects of low-and high-volume stretching on fitness performance in young basketball players. Serbian Journal of Sports Sciences, 6 (1):11-16.
Apostolopoulos, N., Metsios, G.S., Flouris, A. D., Koutedakis, Y., & Wyon, M.A. (2015). The relevance of stretch intensity and position—a systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 6: 1128. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01128
Behm, D.G., Blazevich, A.J., Kay, A.D., & Mchugh, M. (2016). Acute effects of muscle stretching on physical performance, range of motion, and injury incidence in healthy active individuals: a systematic review. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 41 (1): 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2015-0235
Behm, D.G., & Chaouachi, A. (2011). A review of the acute effects of static and dynamic stretching on performance. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 111 (11): 2633-2651. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-1879-2
Bremner, C.B., Girouard, T. J., Samuel, M.N., Turner, C.L., Santo, A.S., & Mercer, J.A. (2015). The acute effect of hip external rotator stretches on hip internal rotation range of motion. International Journal of Exercise Science, 8 (1): 75-84.
Butler, R.J., Crowell III, H.P., & Davis, I.M. (2003). Lower extremity stiffness: Implications for performance and injury. Clinical Biomechanics, 18(6): 511-517. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0268-0033(03)00071-8
Chaabene, H., Behm, D.G., Negra, Y., & Granacher, U. (2019). Acute effects of static Stretching on muscle strength and Power. Frontiers in Physiology,10 (1468). https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2019.01468
Chatzopoulos, D., Galazoulas, C., Patikas, D., & Kotzamanidis, C. (2014). Acute effects of static and dynamic stretching on balance, agility, reaction time and movement time. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 13(2): 403-409.
Choukou, M.A., Laffaye, G., & Taiar, R. (2014). Reliability and validity of an accelerometric system for assessing vertical jumping performance. Biology of Sport, 31(1): 55-62. https://doi.org/10.5604/20831862.1086733
Cini, A., De Vasconcelos, G.S., & Lima, C.S. (2017). Acute effect of different time periods of passive static stretching on the hamstring flexibility. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, 30 (2): 241-246. https://doi.org/10.3233/bmr-160740
Depino, G.M., Webright, W.G., & Arnold, B.L. (2000). Duration of maintained hamstring flexibility after cessation of an acute static stretching protocol. Journal of Athletic Training, 35(1): 56-9.
Donti, O., Tsolakis, C., & Bogdanis, G.C. (2014). Effects of baseline levels of flexibility and vertical jump ability on performance following different volumes of static stretching and potentiating exercises in elite gymnasts. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 13(1): 105-13.
Flanagan, E.P., & Comyns, T.M. (2008). The use of contact time and the reactive strength index to optimize fast stretch-shortening cycle training. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 30 (5): 32-38. https://doi.org/10.1519/ssc.0b013e318187e25b
Haddad, M., Dridi, A., Chtara, M., Chaouachi, A., Wong, D.P., Behm, D., & Chamari, K. (2014). Static stretching can impair explosive performance for at least 24 hours. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 28 (1): 140-146. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0b013e3182964836
Hatano, G., Suzuki, S., Matsuo, S., Kataura, S., Yokoi, K., Fukaya, T., & Iwata, M. (2019). Hamstring stiffness returns more rapidly after static stretching than range of motion, stretch tolerance, and isometric peak torque. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 28 (4): 325-331. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2017-0203
Heisey, C.F., & Kingsley, J.D. (2016). Effects of static stretching on squat performance in division I female athletes. International Journal of Exercise Science, 9(3): 359-367.
Hobara, H., Inoue, K., Kato, E., & Kanosue, K. (2011). Acute effects of static stretching on leg-spring behavior during hopping. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 111 (9): 2115-2121. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-1841-3
Hoge, K.M., Ryan, E.D., Costa, P.B., Herda, T.J., Walter, A.A., Stout, J.R., & Cramer, J.T. (2010). Gender differences in musculotendinous stiffness and range of motion after an acute bout of stretching. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 24 (10): 2618-2626. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0b013e3181e73974
Kallerud, H., & Gleeson, N. (2013). Effects of stretching on performances involving stretch-shortening cycles. Sports Medicine, 43 (8): 733-750. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-013-0053-x
Kataura, S., Suzuki, S., Matsuo, S., Hatano, G., Iwata, M., Yokoi, K., & Asai, Y. (2017). Acute effects of the different intensity of static stretching on flexibility and isometric muscle force. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 31 (12): 3403-3410. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000001752
Kay A.D., & Blazevich, A.J. (2012). Effect of acute static stretch on maximal muscle performance: a systematic review. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 44 (1): 154-164. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0b013e318225cb27
Konrad, A., Stafilidis, S., & Tilp, M. (2017). Effects of acute static, ballistic, and PNF stretching exercise on the muscle and tendon tissue properties. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 27 (10): 1070-1080. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12725
Kruse, N.T., Barr, M.W., Gilders, R.M., Kushnick, M.R., & Rana, S.R. (2015). Effect of different stretching strategies on the kinetics of vertical jumping in female volleyball athletes. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 4 (4): 364-370. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2014.06.003
Laffaye, G., Choukou, M.A., Benguigui, N., & Padulo, J. (2016). Age-and gender-related development of stretch shortening cycle during a sub-maximal hopping task. Biology of Sport, 33 (1): 29-35.
Lloyd, R.S., Oliver, J.L., Hughes, M.G., & Williams, C.A. (2009). Reliability and validity of field-based measures of leg stiffness and reactive strength index in youths. Journal of Sports Sciences, 27 (14): 1565-1573. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410903311572
Logan, J.G., Kim, S.S., Lee, M., Do Byon, H., & Yeo, S. (2018). Effects of static stretching exercise on lumbar flexibility and central arterial stiffness. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 33 (4): 322-328. https://doi.org/10.1097/jcn.0000000000000460
Mcmahon, J.J., Comfort, P., & Pearson, S. (2012). Lower limb stiffness: Effect on performance and training considerations. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 34 (6): 94-101. https://doi.org/10.1519/ssc.0b013e3182781b4e
Miyamoto, N., Hirata, K., & Kanehisa, H. (2017). Effects of hamstring stretching on passive muscle stiffness vary between hip flexion and knee extension maneuvers. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 27 (1): 99-106. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12620
Mizuno, T., Matsumoto, M., & Umemura, Y. (2013). Decrements in stiffness are restored within 10 min. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 34 (06): 484-490. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1327655
Molacek, Z.D., Conley, D.S., Evetovich, T.K., & Hinnerichs, K. R. (2010). Effects of low-and high-volume stretching on bench press performance in collegiate football players. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 24 (3): 711-716. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0b013e3181c7c242
Odunaiya, N.A., Hamzat, T.K., & Ajayi, O.F. (2005). The effects of static stretch duration on the flexibility of hamstring muscles. African Journal of Biomedical Research, 8 (2): 79-82. https://doi.org/10.4314/ajbr.v8i2.35765
Pasqua, L.A., Okuno, N.M., Damasceno, M.V., Lima-Silva, A., & Bertuzzi, R. (2014). Impact of acute static-stretching on the optimal height in drop jumps. Motriz: Revista de Educação Física, 20 (1): 65-70. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-65742014000100010
Peacock, C.A., Krein, D.D., Antonio, J., Sanders, G.J., Silver, T.A., & Colas, M. (2015). Comparing acute bouts of sagittal plane progression foam rolling vs. frontal plane progression foam rolling. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 29 (8): 2310-2315. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000000867
Pekunlu, E., Sağiroglu, I., Kurt, C., & Özsu, I. (2016). Acute residual effects of short and long duratıon static stretchıng on counter movement jump performances in well-traıned female combat athletes. European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science, 2 (5): 2501-235. https://doi.org/10.3233/ies-160656
Reid, D.A., & Mcnair, P.J. (2004). Passive force, angle, and stiffness changes after stretching of hamstring muscles. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 36 (11): 1944-1948. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000145462.36207.20
Robbins, J.W., & Scheuermann, B.W. (2008). Varying amounts of acute static stretching and its effect on vertical jump performance. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 22 (3): 781-786. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0b013e31816a59a9
Ryan, E.D., Beck, T.W., Herda, T.J., Hull, H.R., Hartman, M.J., Costa, P.B., & Cramer, J.T. (2008). The time course of musculotendinous stiffness responses following different durations of passive stretching. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 38 (10): 632-639. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2008.2843
Stafilidis, S., & Tilp, M. (2015). Effects of short duration static stretching on jump performance, maximum voluntary contraction, and various mechanical and morphological parameters of the muscle–tendon unit of the lower extremities. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 115 (3): 607-617. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-3047-y
Taniguchi, K., Shinohara, M., Nozaki, S., & Katayose, M. (2015). Acute decrease in the stiffness of resting muscle belly due to static stretching. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 25 (1): 32-40. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12146
Tsolakis, C., & Bogdanis, G.C. (2012). Acute effects of two different warm-up protocols on flexibility and lower limb explosive performance in male and female high level athletes. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 11 (4): 669-75.
Tsolakis, C., Douvis, A., Tsigganos, G., Zacharogiannis, E., & Smirniotou, A. (2010). Acute effects of stretching on flexibility, power and sport specific performance in fencers. Journal of Human Kinetics, 26: 105-114. https://doi.org/10.2478/v10078-010-0054-x
Unick, J., Kieffer, H.S., Cheesman, W., & Feeney, A. (2005). The acute effects of static and ballistic stretching on vertical jump performance in trained women. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 19 (1): 206-12. https://doi.org/10.1519/00124278-200502000-00035
Werstein, K.M., & Lund, R.J. (2012). The effects of two stretching protocols on the reactive strength index in female soccer and rugby players. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 26 (6): 1564-1567. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0b013e318231ac09
Young, W., Elias, G., & Power, J. (2006). Effects of static stretching volume and intensity on plantar flexor explosive force production and range of motion. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 46 (3): 403-11.
Young, W.B. & Behm, D.G. (2002). Should static stretching be used during a warm-up for strength and power activities? The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research: 24 (6), 33-37. https://doi.org/10.1519/00126548-200212000-00006
Zakas, A., Doganis, G., Papakonstandinou, V., Sentelidis, T., & Vamvakoudis, E. (2006). Acute effects of static stretching duration on isokinetic peak torque production of soccer players. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies: 10 (2), 89-95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2005.04.007
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14198/jhse.2021.164.03
Copyright (c) 2018 Journal of Human Sport and Exercise

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.