We study the effect of intersegment interactions on the effective bending and stretching moduli of a semiflexible polymer chain with a finite stretching modulus. For an interaction potential of a screened Debye-Hückel type renormalization of the stretching modulus is derived on the same level of approximation as the celebrated Odijk-Skolnick-Fixman result for the bending modulus. The presence o...

Static stretching, consisting of holding muscles at lengthened positions for typically 15-45 seconds, has been recommended before participating in physical activity. Gymnasts historically have performed static stretches, such as splits, during the warmup portion of training. Recently however, data has been presented from studies on adults which have shown that static stretching immediately prio...

[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of hamstring stretching on leg rotation during active knee extension. [Subjects] Subjects were 100 bilateral legs of 50 healthy women without articular disease. [Methods] Hamstring hardness, leg rotation and muscle activities of the knee extensors during active knee extension were measured before and after hamstring stretching. [Results] Hamstring h...

CONTEXT Passive stretching exercise protocols, as part of outpatient treatment or home exercise programs, are used to improve hypomobility. Despite the cosmopolitan use of stretching exercises, little is known about the forces being applied to the joint during these routine treatments. TYPE OF STUDY Clinical review. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION Articles were identified using MEDLINE and Google Scho...

Passive stretching is widely used for individuals with spasticity in a belief that tightness or contracture of soft tissues can be corrected and lengthened. Evidence for the efficacy of passive stretching on individuals with spasticity is limited. The aim of this review was to evaluate the evidence on the effectiveness of passive stretching in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Seven studies...

Since the publication of the first edition of this book, there has only been one clinical study that evaluated whether stretching affects the risk of injury. In the cohort study by Amako et al , the intervention was stretching both pre and post exercise. Although not statistically significant, the results suggested a decrease in muscle/tendon injuries with the stretching program, but an increas...

Introduction: Traditionally, static passive stretching has been used by coaches and athletes as a warm-up technique in an attempt to promote better performances. However, the results of recent research have shown that passive muscle stretching can diminish the peak force output of subsequent maximal concentric contractions of the quadriceps. Aside from clinicians’ benefits, athletes competing i...

Plyometric training is widely used to improve force production, power and jumping ability through specific muscle action called the stretch shortening cycle (SSC). The SSC involves a powerful concentric contraction preceded by rapid eccentric contraction. The efficacy of the SSC is mainly related to the storage of elastic energy during eccentric contraction and its quick release during concentr...

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...