Introduction The gastrocsoleus complex via the Achilles tendon exerts a plantar flexion moment on the foot and ankle. The manifestation of this moment on the forefoot during gait is that of plantar pressure. Stretching is routinely recommended by physicians to provide relief of forefoot pain, heel pain and plantar fasciitis, as well as being advised prior to sporting activities to minimize inju...

[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of self-stretching of cervical muscles, because the accessory inspiratory muscle is considered to improve pulmonary function. [Subjects] The subjects were 30 healthy university students 19-21 years old who did not have any lung disease, respiratory dysfunction, cervical injury, or any problems upon cervical stretching. [Methods] Spirometry was used ...

Force induced stretching of polymers is important in a variety of contexts. We have used theory and simulations to describe the response of homopolymers, with N monomers, to force (f) in good and poor solvents. In good solvents and for sufficiently large N we show, in accord with scaling predictions, that the mean extension along the f axis 〈Z〉 ∼ f for small f , and 〈Z〉 ∼ f 2 3 (the Pincus regi...

BACKGROUND Many people stretch before or after (or both) engaging in athletic activity. Usually the purpose is to reduce risk of injury, reduce soreness after exercise, or enhance athletic performance. OBJECTIVES The aim of this review was to determine effects of stretching before or after exercise on the development of post-exercise muscle soreness. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane...

The purpose of present study was to examine the effects of short time static and dynamic stretching of muscles on kinematics variability of lower extremity in healthy active males during cycling. 15 physical education and sport sciences male students from Kharazmi University voluntarily participated in this study. Subjects referred to the laboratory during two days, with 48 hours intervals betw...

BACKGROUND Static stretching may result in various strength and power deficiencies. Prior research has not determined, however, if static stretching causes a change in muscle activation during a functional task requiring dynamic stability. The purpose of this study was to determine if static stretching has an effect on mean pre and postlanding muscle (vastus medialis VM, vastus lateralis VL, me...

The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of unilateral ankle plantar flexors static- stretching on surface electromyography (sEMG) and the center of pressure (COP) during a single-leg balance task in both lower limbs. Fourteen young healthy, non-athletic individuals performed unipodal quiet standing for 30s before and after (stretched limb: immediately post-stretch, 10 and 20 ...