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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04182139

Acute Effects of Static Stretching Intensity and Duration on Muscle Viscoelastic Properties and Proprioception

The purpose of this study is to compare the acute effects of different duration and intensity of static stretching exercises on the viscoelastic properties of the hamstring muscle and the knee proprioception.

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Key information

Conditions

Static Stretching

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Marmara University

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Traditionally stretching exercises have been used by health professionals as a means of preventing injuries by increasing performance and increasing joint flexibility. Kubo et al. suggest that the potential mechanism of decreased risk of injury with increased flexibility is a change in the viscoelastic properties of the muscle-tendon unit. Muscle fibers and tendons contain proprioceptors. These receptors provide information about joint angle, muscle length and muscle tension. There are two stretch-related proprioceptors that transmit information to the central nervous system about muscle tension. These receptors are muscle spindles (respond to changes in the length) and golgi tendon organs (respond to changes in the tension). For this reason, interactions between muscle tension, muscle-tendon unit, viscoelasticity and proprioceptive tissue (muscle spindles and golgi tendon organ); it becomes important when you think about how stretching exercises affect proprioception, flexibility and increase or decrease of joint range of motion. In the literature, four stretching parameters have been defined as important to influence the potential for increasing or decreasing the flexibility of a joint: intensity, duration, frequency and stretching position. The focus of this study we plan on is the intensity and duration of stretching.

Exercise warming exercises before sportive activity and cooling exercises afterwards are widely suggested and applied. Determining the relationship between stretch severity and duration and viscoelastic properties and proprioception will contribute to the effective creation of training programs.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Being in the 18-45 age range.
  • Volunteer to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

  • Having had previous lower extremity operations.
  • Having an orthopedic, neurological and rheumatologic disease of the lower extremities.
  • Having open wound in the application area.
  • Having had soft tissue injury in the last 6 weeks in the application area.

Treatment and study plan

Static stretching exercise

Other

Each intervention group received a different duration and intensity of static stretching exercise protocol.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change from baseline muscle viscoelastic properties at immediately after exercise

    Time frame: 10 minutes

    Muscle viscoelastic properties was assessed with Myoton® PRO device. It is an evidence-based device that evaluates the bio-mechanical properties of soft biological tissues in a non-invasive, objective, reliable, inexpensive, quick and easy manner. Myoton® PRO is used in studies to evaluate superficial skeletal muscles, connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments, and other soft tissues. It is a highly reliable method for assessing the tone, stiffness, elasticity of muscles.

  2. Change from baseline proprioception at immediately after exercise

    Time frame: 10 minutes

    Proprioception was assessed with MarVAJED (Marmara Visual Auditory Joint Education Device). MarVAJED is a system for evaluating joint range of motion, analyzing joint position sense, offering biofeedback support to increase joint control, as well as directing it to controlled exercises. Analyzes joint movement with the help of small sensors. Transfers the obtained data to mobile phone, tablet or personal computer.

  3. Change from baseline static stretching exercise intensity at the beginning of each exercise

    Time frame: 10 minutes

    A visual analog scale of 100 mm was used to assess the intensity of stretching exercise perceived by the participant at the beginning of each repetition. The visual analog scale is used to visually measure the intensity of the detected mechanical stimulus. 0 means "no stretch" and 100 means "maximum tolerable stretch without pain". Perceived violence from left to right increases.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Marmara University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2019
Study completion
2019
First posted
Dec 2, 2019
Registry last updated
Dec 2, 2019

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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