OBJECTIVE Although physical therapy can help preserve mobility in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), stretching has not been used systematically as a treatment to prevent or reverse the disease process. We previously showed in rodent models that stretching promotes the resolution of connective tissue inflammation and reduces new collagen formation after injury. Here, we tested the hypothes...

1. Tension changes have been recorded in tetanized and passive cat soleus muscles during sinusoidal stretching at frequencies between 0.25 and 12.5 c/s.2. During sinusoidal stretching the muscle tension varied in an approximately sinusoidal manner. The tension record showed an angular advance on muscle length. A method of measuring mean angular advance in nonlinear systems is described.3. In te...

OBJECTIVE To describe the subjective pain and functional improvements of a patient with chronic Achilles tendinopathy following a treatment plan incorporating active and passive tissue warm-up, followed respectively by soft tissue mobilization utilizing both Graston Technique(®) and Active Release Techniques(®), eccentric exercise, and static stretching in combination with cryotherapy. BACKGR...

The effects of isometric contractions and passive stretching on muscle-tendon mechanics and muscle activity were studied in 16 healthy human volunteers. First, peak concentric and passive ankle joint moment data were recorded on an isokinetic dynamometer with electromyographic monitoring of the triceps surae; real-time motion analysis of the lower leg and ultrasound imaging of the Achilles-medi...

Objectives: To determine if a modified version of the cross body stretch that incorporates scapular stabilization immediately following a bout of pitching will increase passive shoulder range of motion more than the standard cross body stretch in male collegiate baseball players. Background: Overhead athletes, mainly baseball players, often exhibit pathologic gross internal rotation deficit (pG...

BACKGROUND Warm-up and stretching are suggested to increase hamstring flexibility and reduce the risk of injury. This study examined the short-term effects of warm-up, static stretching and dynamic stretching on hamstring flexibility in individuals with previous hamstring injury and uninjured controls. METHODS A randomised crossover study design, over 2 separate days. Hamstring flexibility wa...