TY - JOUR
T1 - Prophylactic stretching does not reduce cramp susceptibility.
AU - Harsen, James
AU - Long, Blaine
AU - Miller, Kevin
N1 - Funding Information:
Abbreviations: CMAP, compound muscle action potential; EAMC, exercise-associated muscle cramp; EMG, electromyography; GTO, Golgi tendon organ; H-reflex, Hoffman reflex; PNF, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation; ROM, range of motion; TFc, cramp threshold frequency Key words: electrical stimulation; flexor hallucis brevis; inhibition; proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation; range of motion; static stretching; threshold frequency This study was supported by the Central Michigan University Office of Research and Graduate Studies.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PY - 2018
Y1 - 2018
N2 - Introduction: Some clinicians advocate stretching to prevent muscle cramps. It is unknown whether static or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching increases cramp threshold frequency (TFc), a quantitative measure of cramp susceptibility. Methods: Fifteen individuals completed this randomized, counterbalanced, cross-over study. We measured passive hallux range of motion (ROM) and then performed 3 minutes of either static stretching, PNF stretching (hold–relax—with agonist contraction), or no stretching. ROM was reassessed and TFc was measured. Results: PNF stretching increased hallux extension (pre-PNF 81 ± 11°, post-PNF 90 ± 10°; P < 0.05) but not hallux flexion (pre-PNF 40 ± 7°, post-PNF 40 ± 7°; P > 0.05). Static stretching increased hallux extension (pre-static 80 ± 11°, post-static 88 ± 9°; P < 0.05) but not hallux flexion (pre-static 38 ± 9°, post-static 39 ± 8°; P > 0.05). No ROM changes occurred with no stretching (P > 0.05). TFc was unaffected by stretching (no stretching 18 ± 7 Hz, PNF 16 ± 4 Hz, static 16 ± 5 Hz; P = 0.37). Discussion: Static and PNF stretching increased hallux extension, but neither increased TFc. Acute stretching may not prevent muscle cramping. Muscle Nerve 57: 473–477, 2018.
AB - Introduction: Some clinicians advocate stretching to prevent muscle cramps. It is unknown whether static or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching increases cramp threshold frequency (TFc), a quantitative measure of cramp susceptibility. Methods: Fifteen individuals completed this randomized, counterbalanced, cross-over study. We measured passive hallux range of motion (ROM) and then performed 3 minutes of either static stretching, PNF stretching (hold–relax—with agonist contraction), or no stretching. ROM was reassessed and TFc was measured. Results: PNF stretching increased hallux extension (pre-PNF 81 ± 11°, post-PNF 90 ± 10°; P < 0.05) but not hallux flexion (pre-PNF 40 ± 7°, post-PNF 40 ± 7°; P > 0.05). Static stretching increased hallux extension (pre-static 80 ± 11°, post-static 88 ± 9°; P < 0.05) but not hallux flexion (pre-static 38 ± 9°, post-static 39 ± 8°; P > 0.05). No ROM changes occurred with no stretching (P > 0.05). TFc was unaffected by stretching (no stretching 18 ± 7 Hz, PNF 16 ± 4 Hz, static 16 ± 5 Hz; P = 0.37). Discussion: Static and PNF stretching increased hallux extension, but neither increased TFc. Acute stretching may not prevent muscle cramping. Muscle Nerve 57: 473–477, 2018.
M3 - Article
VL - 57
SP - 473
EP - 477
JO - Muscle and Nerve
JF - Muscle and Nerve
SN - 0148-639X
ER -