Acute and Long-Term Effects of Static Stretching on Muscle-Tendon Unit Stiffness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Static stretching can increase the range of motion a joint. Muscle-tendon unit stiffness (MTS) is potentially one main factors that influences change in after static stretching. However, to date, effects acute and long-term on MTS are not well understood. The purpose this meta-analysis was investigate training MTS, young healthy participants. PubMed, Web Science, EBSCO published before January 6, 2023, were searched finally, 17 papers included meta-analysis. Main performed with random-effect model subgroup analyses, which comparisons sex (male vs. mixed female) muscle (hamstrings plantar flexors) also performed. Furthermore, meta-regression conducted examine effect total duration MTS. For stretching, result showed moderate decrease (effect size = -0.772, Z -2.374, 95% confidence interval -1.409 - -0.325, p 0.018, I2 79.098). there no significant -0.608, -1.761, CI -1.284 – 0.069, 0.078, 83.061). Subgroup analyses revealed differences between (long-term, 0.209) or (acute, =0.295; long-term, 0.427). Moreover, relationship (p 0.011, R2 0.28), but 0.085, < 0.01). Whilst decreased only tendency seen