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Total liters of oxygen consumed over the course of each 30-s interval during each stretch treatment. * indicates an SS value significantly greater than the corresponding PS value (p < 0.05).

Total liters of oxygen consumed over the course of each 30-s interval during each stretch treatment. * indicates an SS value significantly greater than the corresponding PS value (p < 0.05).

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The purpose of this study was to determine the extent that a static stretching program could increase heart rate (HR) and oxygen consumption (VO2), and if the increases were sufficient to serve as a warm-up for aerobic activity.Methods The HR and VO2 of 15 male and 16 female college students were measured after either 12 min of passive static stret...

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... changes in VO 2 for PS and SS over the length of the stretch treatment are presented in Fig. 2. The main effect for stretch treatment (PS vs. SS) was significantly different (F(1, 58) ¼ 25.81, p < 0.0001) with the SS showing a higher VO 2 . The main effect for time was also significant (F(1, 23) ¼ 18.5, p < 0.0001). Additionally, a significant interaction (F(23, 1,334) ¼ 4.97, p < 0.0001) between stretch treatment and time was ...

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... The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) describes flexibility as one of the most important components of physical fitness [13]. Stretching is a non-pharmacological, low-intensity activity that can improve vascular function for those with cardiovascular disorders and chronic fatigue disorders and elicits a lower metabolic demand compared to moderate or vigorous aerobic exercise [14][15][16]. Planned exercise therapy to strengthen weakened muscle or to increase joint flexibility is often included as part of a treatment program for patients with chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a common condition that remains difficult to diagnose and manage. Some of the current challenges include an absence of diagnostic markers and differing diagnostic criteria [17]. ...
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This study represents a comparison of the functional interrelation of fatigue and cognitive, cardiovascular and autonomic nervous systems in a group of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) patients compared with those in healthy individuals at different stages of analysis: at baseline and after changes induced by whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) combined with a static-stretching (SS) program. The study included 32 patients (Fukuda criteria) and 18 healthy controls. Fatigue, cognitive, cardiovascular and autonomic function and arterial stiffness were measured before and after 10 sessions of WBC with SS. In the patients, a disturbance in homeostasis was observed. The network relationship based on differences before and after intervention showed comparatively higher stress and eccentricity in the CFS group: 50.9 ± 56.1 vs. 6.35 ± 8.72, p = 0.002, r = 0.28; and 4.8 ± 0.7 vs. 2.4 ± 1, p < 0.001, r = 0.46, respectively. Before and after intervention, in the CFS group increased fatigue was related to baroreceptor function, and baroreceptor function was in turn related to aortic stiffness, but no such relationships were observed in the control group. Differences in the network structure underlying the interrelation among the four measured criteria were observed in both groups, before the intervention and after ten sessions of whole cryotherapy with a static stretching exercise.
... To maintain interest, new exercises will be introduced every week. While static stretching may result in limited transient HR increases, it provides limited aerobic fitness benefits [51][52][53][54]. Just as in the AE condition, each ST session will end with a trainer-led 5-min cool-down period. ...
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Background: Suicide risk among individuals with schizophrenia (SZ) is intractably high, with over 40% of individuals attempting to take their own lives during their lifetime and an estimated 5-10% completing suicide. At present, available pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments offer limited risk reduction benefits, and thus, there remains an urgent need to explore novel interventions that will ameliorate this risk. Aerobic exercise (AE) has been shown to improve a number of predictors of suicide risk (e.g., depressed mood, sleeping difficulties). As individuals with SZ display a highly sedentary lifestyle, AE may reduce suicide risk. Methods: Employing a multi-site, single-blind, randomized clinical trial design, we will examine the impact of AE on risk for suicide and related variables in individuals with SZ. Participants will be randomized to one of two 12-week exercise interventions: AE or a stretching and toning (ST) control intervention. Primary outcome measures will include suicide risk (Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, C-SSRS) and aerobic fitness (VO 2 max), along with additional measures of suicide risk, mood, emotion regulation, sleep, cognition, and physical activity, with assessments completed at baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks of interventions. Discussion: It is hypothesized that AE will reduce suicide risk among individuals with SZ. This study may offer support for a more efficacious treatment method for this population in addition to the pre-existing pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment regimens.
... To maintain interest, new exercises will be introduced every week. While static stretching may result in limited transient HR increases, it provides limited aerobic tness bene ts (51)(52)(53)(54). Just as in the AE condition, each ST session will end with a trainer-led 5-minute cool-down period. ...
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Background: Suicide risk among individuals with schizophrenia (SZ) is intractably high, with over 40% of individuals attempting to take their own lives during their lifetime and an estimated 5-10% completing suicide. At present, available pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments offer limited risk reduction benefits, thus there remain an urgent need to explore novel interventions that will ameliorate this risk. Aerobic exercise (AE) has been shown to improve a number of predictors of suicide risk (e.g., depressed mood, sleeping difficulties). As individuals with SZ display a highly sedentary lifestyle, AE may reduce suicide risk. Methods: Employing a multi-site, single-blind, randomized clinical trial design, we will examine the impact of AE on risk for suicide and related variables in individuals with SZ. Participants will be randomized to one of two 12-week exercise interventions: AE or a stretching and toning (ST) control intervention. Primary outcome measures will include suicide risk (Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, C-SSRS) and aerobic fitness (VO2max), along with additional measures of suicide risk, mood, emotion regulation, sleep, cognition, and physical activity, with assessments completed at baseline and after 6- and 12-weeks of interventions. Discussion: It is hypothesized that AE will reduce suicide risk among individuals with SZ. This study may offer support for a more efficacious treatment method for this population in addition to the pre-existing pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment regimens. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03270098. Registered September 1, 2017.
... Our study was powered with establishing the significant relationship between positive effects of dynamic stretching on static balance, which was lacking in the previous studies. [40][41][42] The current study also had some limitations. First, the participants who were selected for the study were only females. ...
Article
Purpose: The current study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of different stretching techniques (static and dynamic) on kinematic and physical performance variables in female volleyball players of Punjab.Materials and Methods: Thirty‑six state‑level female volleyball players were divided using random lottery method into three groups: static stretching (n = 12), dynamic stretching (n = 12), and control group (n = 12). Static stretching and dynamic stretching groups performed different stretching techniques, and control group performed no exercises. Testing of kinematic and physical performance variables was done before and after stretching and control sessions. Duration of stretching and control session was 7 min each for all three groups.Result: Average relative power and balance were significantly improved with both stretching techniques. On comparing the three groups posthoc analysis, average relative power, static balance, and sprint time found to be significantly improved (P < 0.05) in dynamic stretching group, whereas static stretching group showed increase in sprint time (P < 0.05). Further, in posthoc analysis, no other measured kinematic and physical performance variables showed significant difference in the three groups.Conclusion: Dynamic stretching may be preferable to static stretching as part of a warm‑up designed to prepare for physical activity. Keywords: Balance, jump performance, kinematic parameters, sprint time, volleyball
... Our study was powered with establishing the significant relationship between positive effects of dynamic stretching on static balance, which was lacking in the previous studies. [40][41][42] The current study also had some limitations. First, the participants who were selected for the study were only females. ...
Article
Full-text available
Purpose: The current study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of different stretching techniques (static and dynamic) on kinematic and physical performance variables in female volleyball players of Punjab. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six state-level female volleyball players were divided using random lottery method into three groups: static stretching (n = 12), dynamic stretching (n = 12), and control group (n = 12). Static stretching and dynamic stretching groups performed different stretching techniques, and control group performed no exercises. Testing of kinematic and physical performance variables was done before and after stretching and control sessions. Duration of stretching and control session was 7 min each for all three groups. Result: Average relative power and balance were significantly improved with both stretching techniques. On comparing the three groups post hoc analysis, average relative power, static balance, and sprint time found to be significantly improved (P < 0.05) in dynamic stretching group, whereas static stretching group showed increase in sprint time (P < 0.05). Further, in post hoc analysis, no other measured kinematic and physical performance variables showed significant difference in the three groups. Conclusion: Dynamic stretching may be preferable to static stretching as part of a warm-up designed to prepare for physical activity.
... Some researchers have shown that the inclusion of short stretching protocols (30 to 90 sec) prior to a specific or general physical activity can ensure an increased range of motion and improve conditions for physical exercise without impairing performance (Murphy et al., 2010;Rosario and Foletto, 2015). Nelson and Kokkonen (2013) conducted a study in which heart rate (HR) and VO2 of young subjects were analyzed during 12 min of SS compared to placebo stretching, and found a significant 9% in-crease in HR and 44% in VO2 of the SS group. However the authors stated that this increase is not enough to obtain a warm-up effect. ...
... In this respect, the use of stretching exercises has been controversial because some studies have shown a deleterious effect on muscle strength and power immediately after stretching (Shrier, 2004;Winchester et al., 2008). Furthermore, it was assumed that stretching does not promote muscle warming and therefore is not effective as a warm-up (Nelson and Kokkonen, 2013). ...
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Objective: To characterize the thermal effects of stretching of the hamstring muscles during 4 weeks in young subjects with shortening of these muscles. Methodology: The study included 18 volunteers (7 men and 11 women, age = 21.5 ± 1.25 years, BMI = 22.40 ± 3.05 kg / m2), where 10 were submitted to muscle stretching (6 repetitions, 3 times per week) and 8 did just the assessment, without any intervention for 4 weeks. The data were analyzed with SPSS (20.0) using ANOVA tests with repeated measures with α <0.05. Results: The results showed a significant difference in temperature, flexibility and passive stiffness between the groups after the final assessment. The variables behavior of the pain and strength did not change in the way that would characterize an effectiveness of the protocol in these aspects. Conclusion: The stretching program was effective in the alteration of flexibility and temperature, however, was insufficient to cause muscle strength gains. The evaluation methodology was not able to quantify the passive stiffness and pain.
... The importance of understanding cardiovascular responses associated with stretching in humans appears to be related to its low intensity, as stretching appears to elicit a lower metabolic demand compared to moderate intensity aerobic exercise [9][10][11]. Furthermore, individuals with musculoskeletal and cardiovascular disorders such as peripheral arterial disease, lower limb or spinal cord injuries, as well as the less active elderly, may not have the capacity to perform moderate intensity aerobic exercise. ...
Article
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Stretching is commonly prescribed with the intended purpose of increasing range of motion, enhancing muscular coordination, and preventing prolonged immobilization induced by aging or a sedentary lifestyle. Emerging evidence suggests that acute or long-term stretching exercise may modulate a variety of cardiovascular responses. Specifically, at the onset of stretch, the mechanical deformation of the vascular bed coupled with stimulation of group III muscle afferent fibers initiates a cascade of events resulting in both peripheral vasodilation and a heart rate-driven increase in cardiac output, blood pressure, and muscle blood flow. This potential to increase shear stress and blood flow without the use of excessive muscle energy expenditure may hold important implications for future therapeutic vascular medicine and cardiac health. However, the idea that a cardiovascular component may be involved in human skeletal muscle stretching is relatively new. Therefore, the primary intent of this review is to highlight topics related to skeletal muscle stretching and cardiovascular regulation and function. The current evidence suggests that acute stretching causes a significant macro- and microcirculatory event that alters blood flow and the relationship between oxygen availability and oxygen utilization. These acute vascular changes if performed chronically may result in improved endothelial function, improved arterial blood vessel stiffness, and/or reduced blood pressure. Although several mechanisms have been postulated, an increased nitric oxide bioavailability has been highlighted as one promising candidate for the improvement in vessel function with stretching. Collectively, the evidence provided in this review suggests that stretching acutely or long term may serve as a novel and alternative low intensity therapeutic intervention capable of improving several parameters of vascular function.
... With regard to the difference between passive and active static stretching, Nelson and Kokkonen (2013) investigated the effect of passive static stretching on the metabolic response. They reported that HR after passive stretching increased by approximately 1.2 times (quiet sitting, 70 ± 11 bpm versus passive static stretching, 84 ± 11 bpm); thus, they suggested that the magnitude of the increases was not adequate to elicit an aerobic warm-up effect. ...
Article
Full-text available
Stretching is performed not only with assistance, but also without assistance while warming up prior to physical activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 30 s of active static stretching on anaerobic power using the Wingate test (WT). Ten healthy men performed two WT trials under a no stretching (CON-) and active static stretching (SS-) condition. Participants sat in a chair for 8 min during CON-condition. During the SS-condition, participants sat in a chair for 5 min, and performed three stretching exercises. Following each condition, participants performed a standard 30 s WT. Although peak performance (peak power and peak revolutions per minute) during the WT was not significantly different between the CON- and SS-conditions, the mean power in the SS-condition (579.2 ± 15.8 W) was significantly higher than that in the CON-condition (560.3 ± 17.8 W). Heart rate in pre WT was significantly higher in SS-condition (96 ± 5 bpm) than in CON-condition (63 ± 2 bpm). These results suggest that active static stretching for 30 s prevents power decline compared with peak performance by eliciting an aerobic warm-up effect.
Article
Matsuo, H, Kubota, M, Shimada, S, Kitade, I, Matsumura, M, Nonoyama, T, Koie, Y, Naruse, H, Takahashi, A, Oki, H, Kokubo, Y, and Matsumine, A. The effect of static stretching duration on muscle blood volume and oxygenation. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2020-Muscle blood volume increases due to stretching; however, the minimum duration of stretching to sustainably increase the muscle blood volume after stretching has not yet been elucidated. This study examined whether the duration of static stretching influenced the muscle blood volume and oxygenation. Ten healthy male subjects participated in this controlled laboratory study. Static stretching of the gastrocnemius muscle was performed for 5 durations (20 seconds, and 1, 2, 5, and 10 minutes). Changes in both the total-Hb (ΔtHb), as an index of blood volume, and tissue oxygenation index (ΔTOI) from baseline were determined using near-infrared spectroscopy. Both the ΔtHb and ΔTOI decreased during stretching and increased after stretching. The minimum value of ΔtHb during stretching did not differ in each of the 5 durations, but minimum ΔTOI progressively decreased with longer durations of stretching. The peak value of ΔtHb after stretching increased with longer durations of stretching. The value of ΔtHb at 5 minutes after the end of stretching increased with more than 2 minutes of stretching compared with 20 seconds of stretching, although the value of ΔtHb did not significantly differ between the 2, 5, and 10 minutes' durations. These findings suggest that a longer duration of stretching elicits a decrease in muscle oxygenation during stretching, and an increase in both the muscle blood volume and oxygenation after stretching. The results indicated that the minimum duration of stretching to sustain an increase in the muscle blood volume after stretching is 2 minutes.