Use of cupping therapy in musculoskeletal disorders: A cross-sectional study on the profile, training, and practice of Brazilian physical therapists.

INTRODUCTION: Cupping therapy is a widely used technique in Brazilian physical therapy for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support its effectiveness. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the profile, training, clinical practice, and scientific updates of Brazilian Physical Therapists who use cupping therapy as a therapeutic resource for musculoskeletal disorders. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted through an online questionnaire, including 646 Physical Therapists who use cupping therapy in their practice. All data were analysed descriptively. RESULTS: Cupping therapy is a technique that has been widely adopted in clinical practice by Physical Therapists, particularly among young, female professionals who have recently graduated from private universities. The primary reason for interest in this technique among these Physical Therapists is the high demand from patients. Additionally, it is often used in conjunction with other manual therapeutic techniques. They identified easy access, low cost, and ease of use as the key factors that make cupping therapy an attractive option. However, a lack of high-quality scientific evidence, as described in the literature, was identified as a major barrier to its use. CONCLUSION: The Physical Therapists included in this study use cupping therapy in their clinical practice, relying heavily on their own experience and the preferences of their patients, rather than utilizing the third pillar of evidence-based practice, which is to rely on the best available evidence. This study suggests that these Physical Therapists are currently implementing a technique without current scientific recommendations for its use in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.

Measurement properties of upper extremity physical performance tests in athletes: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Upper extremity Physical Performance Tests (PPTs) have been used in sports contexts to provide functional status of the athletes. However, whether these tests present appropriate measurement properties to be considered a valuable measurement is not clear. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the measurement properties of upper extremity PPTs in athletes. METHODS: Databases (e.g., Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, CENTRAL) were searched in March 2021. Two reviewers independently rated the methodological quality using the 4-point Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist. Quality of evidence was graded by measurement property for each test, considering the adequacy, the sample size, and the methodological quality of the studies. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included with a pooled sample of 684 athletes. The PPTs analyzed were Arm-Jump Board Test, Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST), Finger Hang Test, Medicine Ball Explosive Power Test, One-Arm Hop Test, Posterior Shoulder Endurance Test, Pull-Up Shoulder Endurance Test, Repetition to Failure Assessment, Seated Medicine Ball Throw Test (SMBT), Seated Single-Arm Shot-Put Test (SSPT), Shoulder Endurance Test, Two-Arm Bent Hang Test, Unilateral Seated Shot-Put Test, and Upper Limb Rotation Test. Evidence synthesis provided moderate and high-quality evidence for sufficient inter-session and intra-session reliability of the CKCUEST, respectively. There was moderate evidence for sufficient inter-session reliability of the SSPT and for insufficient validity of the SMBT. CONCLUSION: The CKCUEST and the SSPT are sufficiently reliable in athletes. More studies are needed to investigate other psychometric properties for these tests and other upper extremity PPTs.

Photobiomodulation does not provide incremental benefits to patients with knee osteoarthritis who receive a strengthening exercises program: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: There is lack of agreement in the literature about the effectiveness of photobiomodulation (PBM) for reducing pain-related symptoms in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether PBM, when combined to exercises, provides incremental therapeutic benefits for pain, physical function, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with knee OA. METHODS: A six-month double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial was conducted. Patients with knee OA were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: Exercise, Exercise plus Active PBM, or Exercise plus Placebo PBM. Treatment was provided over an eight-week period, three times per week. The primary outcomes were pain at rest and upon movement, assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS). WOMAC global score, QoL, and a core-set of performance-based tests were measured as secondary outcomes. All outcomes were collected at baseline, immediately after treatment, and after three- and six-month post-treatment. RESULTS: 127 participants were allocated as follows: Exercise, N = 41; Exercise plus Active PBM, N = 44; and Exercise plus Placebo PBM, N = 42. There was no between-groups difference in improvement in pain, physical function, and QoL for all follow-up times. However, all groups presented significant, clinically relevant improvements in pain, physical function, and QoL immediately and three months after treatment compared with baseline measures. CONCLUSION: Patients with knee OA who received a strengthening exercises program did not experience incremental benefits regarding pain, physical function, or QoL when adding PBM to their therapeutic exercises.

Effects of custom insoles for symptomatic hallux valgus: protocol for a sham-controlled randomised trial.

INTRODUCTION: Hallux valgus (HV) is one of the most prevalent forefoot deformities, and its frequency increases with age, reaching nearly 23% in adulthood (females are usually more affected). Studies on customised insoles and orthoses for HV showed inconclusive results. There is no consensus in literature regarding the ideal insole or length of use for pain relief or functional improvement in individuals with HV. This study will assess the effects of a customised insole with retrocapital bar associated with an infracapital bar of the first metatarsal on pain and function of individuals with symptomatic HV. METHODS: This is the protocol for a blinded, sham-controlled randomised clinical trial. Eighty participants with symptomatic HV will be randomised into two groups (40 per group): customised insole or sham insole. Assessments will be performed at baseline (T0), six (T6) and 12 weeks (T12) of intervention. A follow-up will occur after 4 weeks of intervention (T16). The primary and secondary outcomes will be pain (Numerical Pain Scale) and function (Foot Function Index), respectively. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Analysis of variance with a mixed design or Friedman's test will be considered according to data distribution; post-hoc analyses will be performed using Bonferroni test. Time × group interaction and within-group and between-group differences will also be assessed. The intent-to-treat analysis will be used. A significance level of 5% and 95% s will be adopted for all statistical analyses. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This protocol was approved by the research ethics committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences of Trairi/Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN/FACISA; opinion number 5411306). The study results will be disseminated to participants, submitted to a peer-reviewed journal and presented in scientific meetings. TRIAL REGISTRATIONS NUMBER: NCT05408156.

Physical Performance and Mobility Tests Using Telehealth: A Feasibility Study With Athletes.

CONTEXT: Physical performance tests (PPTs) and mobility tests have been widely used in sports rehabilitation. However, the feasibility of PPTs and mobility tests via telehealth is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To verify the feasibility of PPTs and mobility tests to assess athletes via telehealth. DESIGN: This is a feasibility study. PARTICIPANTS: Athletes enrolled in a sports team or club for at least 2 years and with previous enrollment in a competitive league were recruited through advertisements on social media. The athletes included in this study (mean age = 25.9 y, from different sports) performed a battery of PPTs and mobility tests for the lower-extremity or upper-extremity and trunk, according to their sport modality. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The feasibility was assessed with recruitment, success, and dropout rates. In addition, athletes' perceptions of easiness, satisfaction, and safety during the lower-extremity or upper-extremity and trunk PPTs and mobility tests were assessed. RESULTS: Seventy-three athletes were included, between January and April 2021: 41 were allocated to the lower-extremity and 32 to the upper-extremity and trunk PPTs and mobility test, according to their sports modality. The overall dropout rate was 20.55%; >89% of the athletes agreed that the PPTs and mobility tests via telehealth were easy to perform, >78% were satisfied, and >75% felt safe during the assessments. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that these 2 batteries of performance and mobility tests via telehealth are feasible to assess the lower and upper-extremities, and the trunk of athletes, considering the adherence, athletes' perception of easiness, satisfaction, and safety.

Effects of insoles adapted in flip-flop sandals for persistent heel pain: a protocol for a sham-controlled randomised trial.

INTRODUCTION: Persistent heel pain is a prevalent complaint affecting up to 10% of the population. Insoles adapted in flip-flop sandals are an alternative treatment for pain and function of individuals with persistent heel pain, showing improvement within 12 weeks of treatment. Most studies considered foot posture and biomechanics to prescribe insoles for persistent heel pain, but few verified the effects of a 12-week treatment on pain catastrophising. This study will investigate the effects of insoles adapted in flip-flop sandals on pain intensity, function, functional walking capacity and pain catastrophising of individuals with persistent heel pain. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a protocol for a sham-controlled randomised trial. Eighty individuals with persistent heel pain will be assessed and randomised into two intervention groups: insoles adapted in flip-flop sandals and flip-flop sandals with sham (ie, flat) insoles. Assessments will be conducted at baseline (T0), after 6 weeks (T6), 12 weeks postintervention (T12) and after a 4-week follow-up (T16). The primary outcome will be the pain intensity, and secondary outcomes will be foot function, functional walking capacity and pain catastrophising. Analysis of variance with mixed design (if normal distribution) or Friedman's test (if not normal distribution) will verify intergroup and intragroup differences. Bonferroni post hoc tests will be performed in case of significant group or time interaction. Intent-to-treat analysis will be used, and a significance level of 5% and 95% CIs will be considered. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study was approved by the research ethics committee of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (registry no. 4,018,821). Results will be disseminated to individuals, submitted to a peer-reviewed journal and disclosed in scientific meetings. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04784598.

Exercise dependence, body dismorphia, and anxiety in crossfit practitioners: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Physical exercise provides better body image perception and well-being. However, if practiced compulsively, it may lead to compulsion and psychobiological damage. CrossFit is a method aiming at maximum performance, and it is currently attracting many regular practitioners. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate exercise dependence prevalence, muscle dysmorphia, and trait-state anxiety in CrossFit practitioners. METHODS: One hundred fifty regular male CrossFit practitioners were evaluated and subdivided into two groups: with and without risk for exercise dependence. Trait-state anxiety and muscle dysmorphia were also assessed. Unpaired t-test compared groups, Fisher's exact test was used for associations between categorical variables (p < 0.05), while correlations were verified using Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: 122 participants were identified with no risk for exercise dependence and 28 with risk for exercise dependence. Participants presented mean age of 30.3 ± 7.05 years and had been practicing physical exercise for 8.02 ± 8.1 years, with training frequency of 5.3 ± 1.09 days per week and 107.9 ± 50.5 min per training day. Prevalence risk of exercise dependence was 18.6%, and muscle dysmorphia was significantly different between groups with (10.7%, n = 3) and without risk (6.6%, n = 8) for exercise dependence. Participants with risk for dependence chose CrossFit mainly due to appearance (32%). CONCLUSION: Prevalence risk of exercise dependence was 18.6% and satisfaction with muscle appearance may influence exercise behavior.

Effects of Gaming on Pain-Related Fear, Pain Catastrophizing, Anxiety, and Depression in Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The aim was to systematically review the effects of gaming on pain-related fear, pain catastrophizing, anxiety, and depression in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Databases (Medline, EMBASE, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials [CENTRAL], Web of Science, and SCOPUS) were searched from inception up to October 2021. Two reviewers independently selected randomized controlled trials that compared the effects of any gaming modality with other interventions or no treatment on pain-related fear, pain catastrophizing, anxiety, and depression. For data synthesis, Standardized Mean Differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effects inverse variance model for meta-analysis according to the outcome of interest, comparison group, and follow-up period. The level of evidence was synthesized using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE). Thirteen studies were included with a total sample of 680 patients. Gaming was superior to other treatments and no treatment on reducing pain-related fear (SMD: -1.23; 95% CI: -2.02 to -0.44) and anxiety (SMD: -0.55; 95% CI: -1.01 to -0.09), respectively. Gaming was not superior to other treatments on reducing pain catastrophizing, anxiety, and depression, and it was not superior to no treatment on reducing pain-related fear, pain catastrophizing, and depression. Those findings were based on very low or low-quality evidence. In a conclusion, gaming modalities may have positive effects on some mental health outcomes. However, there were conflicting results with low-quality evidence, which indicates that more high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed.

Dry cupping therapy is not superior to sham cupping to improve clinical outcomes in people with non-specific chronic low back pain: a randomised trial.

QUESTION: What are the effects of dry cupping on pain intensity, physical function, functional mobility, trunk range of motion, perceived overall effect, quality of life, psychological symptoms and medication use in individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain? DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation, intention-to-treat analysis and blinding of participants and assessors. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety participants with chronic non-specific low back pain. INTERVENTIONS: The experimental group (n = 45) received dry cupping therapy, with cups bilaterally positioned parallel to the L1 to L5 vertebrae. The control group (n = 45) received sham cupping therapy. The interventions were applied once a week for 8 weeks. OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants were assessed before and after the first treatment session, and after 4 and 8 weeks of intervention. The primary outcome was pain intensity, measured with the numerical pain scale at rest, during fast walking and during trunk flexion. Secondary outcomes were physical function, functional mobility, trunk range of motion, perceived overall effect, quality of life, psychological symptoms and medication use. RESULTS: On a 0-to-10 scale, the between-group difference in pain severity at rest was negligible: MD 0.0 (95% CI -0.9 to 1.0) immediately after the first treatment, 0.4 (95% CI -0.5 to 1.5) at 4 weeks and 0.6 (95% CI -0.4 to 1.6) at 8 weeks. Similar negligible effects were observed on pain severity during fast walking or trunk flexion. Negligible effects were also found on physical function, functional mobility and perceived overall effect, where mean estimates and their confidence intervals all excluded worthwhile effects. No worthwhile benefits could be confirmed for any of the remaining secondary outcomes. CONCLUSION: Dry cupping therapy was not superior to sham cupping for improving pain, physical function, mobility, quality of life, psychological symptoms or medication use in people with non-specific chronic low back pain. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03909672.

Does tension applied in kinesio taping affect pain or function in older women with knee osteoarthritis? A randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the short-term effects of kinesio taping (KT) with tension (KTT) or without tension (KTNT) in older women with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and compare them to controls who did not receive KT. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: University physiotherapy school clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-five older women (fifteen participants per group) with 66.8 (±5.6) years and clinical diagnosis of KOA were assessed pre, post and 3 days after intervention. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomly allocated to KTT, who received two simultaneous applications of KT with tension on the knee and rectus femoris; KTNT, who received the same application as the KTT group, but without tension and a control group that attended a class on KOA. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was pain intensity and secondary outcomes were knee-related health status, functional capacity, muscle strength and global rating of change. RESULTS: No between-group differences were observed in pain after the first intervention (KTT vs KTNT: mean difference (MD), -1.8 points; 95% CI -4.2 to 0.5; KTT vs control: MD, -1.2 points; 95% CI -3.6 to 1.2; KTNT vs control: MD, 0.66 points; 95% CI -1.7 to 3.0) or 3 days later (KTT vs KTNT: MD, -1.3 points; 95% CI -3.7 to 1.0; KTT vs control: MD, 0.13 points; 95% CI -2.2 to 2.5; KTNT vs control: MD, 1.4 points; 95% CI -0.9 to 3.8). The lack of between-group differences was also found for secondary outcomes. CONCLUSION: The short-term use of KT with or without tension in older woman with KOA had no beneficial effects on pain and function. These findings call into question the clinical use of KT as a non-pharmacological therapy for this population. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03624075.

Effects of dry cupping on pain, function and quality of life in women with knee osteoarthritis: a protocol for a sham-controlled randomised trial.

INTRODUCTION: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the most common cause of pain and disability worldwide. Dry cupping has been used as non-pharmacological approach to control pain and improve physical function. However, there is a lack of high-quality scientific evidence regarding its effects on this condition. This protocol describes a sham-controlled, randomised and simple blind study that aims to evaluate the effect of dry cupping on pain, function and quality of life in women with KOA. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Sixty-two women diagnosed with KOA, based on American College of Rheumatology clinical criteria, and aged from 50 to 75 years, will be randomly distributed into two groups (31 per group): real and sham dry cupping. Both applications will occur with acrylic cups around the knee. The intervention will last 15 min, two times a week over six consecutive weeks, for a total of 12 sessions. Both groups will be assessed at four different times: before the intervention (T0), after 3 weeks intervention (T3), at the end of the protocol (T6) and 4 weeks after the interventions (follow-up: T10). The primary outcome will be pain intensity (Numerical Pain Rating Scale), and secondary outcomes will be knee-related health status (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index), functional capacity (8-step stair climb test, 40-metre fast-paced walk test and 30-second chair stand test), quality of life (Short-Form 36) and global perceived effect. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This protocol was approved by the UFRN/FACISA Ethics Committee (number 3.737.688). The study results will be disseminated to the participants and submitted to a peer-reviewed journal and scientific meetings. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04331158.

Clinical-like cryotherapy improves footprint patterns and reduces synovial inflammation in a rat model of post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis.

Cryotherapy is a non-pharmacological treatment commonly used to control inflammation and improve function after acute traumas. However, there are no definitive findings about its effects on chronic joint diseases such as knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of clinical-like cryotherapy on functional impairment and synovial inflammation in a rat model of KOA generated by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT). Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8/group): Control, KOA, KOA + Cryotherapy and KOA + Placebo. The last two groups were submitted to the relevant interventions twice a day for five days (61 to 65), with each session lasting 20 min. Gait test, skin temperature, thermal response threshold and joint swelling were assessed in all groups before ACLT surgery, and pre (60th day) and post (66th day) intervention protocols. On day 66, the animals were euthanized and exsanguinated to remove the synovial membrane for histopathological examination and synovial fluid to determine the leukocyte count and cytokine concentration. After the intervention period (66th day), footprint area only increased in the KOA + Cryotherapy group (P = 0.004; 14%) when compared to KOA and KOA + Placebo, but did not differ from controls. Cryotherapy lowered the synovial fluid leukocyte count (P < 0.0001; ≥95.0%) and cytokine concentration (P < 0.0001; ≥55%) when compared to the KOA and Placebo groups. Synovial score and synovial fibrosis did not differ in the KOA groups. In conclusion, footprint patterns improved in rats with ACLT-induced KOA as a result of clinical-like cryotherapy, which also lowered the synovial fluid leukocyte count and inflammatory cytokine concentration in these rats.

Short-term cryotherapy did not substantially reduce pain and had unclear effects on physical function and quality of life in people with knee osteoarthritis: a randomised trial.

OBJECTIVE: Does short-term cryotherapy improve pain, function and quality of life in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA)? DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation, blinded assessment of some outcomes, and intention-to-treat analysis. PARTICIPANTS: People living in the community with knee OA. INTERVENTIONS: The experimental group received cryotherapy, delivered as packs of crushed ice applied to the knee with mild compression. The control group received the same regimen but with sham packs filled with sand. The interventions were applied once a day for 4 consecutive days. OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants were assessed at baseline and on the day after the 4-day intervention period. The primary outcome was pain intensity according to a visual analogue scale. Secondary outcomes were baseline to post-intervention changes according to the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome; Timed Up and Go test; and 30-Second Chair to Stand test. RESULTS: Sixty participants were randomised into the experimental group (n = 30) or the control group (n = 30). Twenty-nine participants from each group completed the trial. The mean between-group difference in change in pain severity was -0.8 cm (95% CI -1.6 to 0.1), where negative values favour the experimental group. This result did not reach the nominated smallest worthwhile effect of 1.75 cm. The secondary outcomes had less-precise estimates, with confidence intervals that spanned worthwhile, trivial and mildly harmful effects. CONCLUSION: Short-term cryotherapy was not superior to a sham intervention in terms of relieving pain or improving function and quality of life in people with knee OA. Although cryotherapy is considered to be a widely used resource in clinical practice, this study does not suggest that it has an important short-term effect, when compared with a sham control, as a non-pharmacological treatment for people with knee osteoarthritis. REGISTRATION: NCT02725047.

Knee osteoarthritis induces atrophy and neuromuscular junction remodeling in the quadriceps and tibialis anterior muscles of rats.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is associated with muscle weakness, but it is unclear which structures are involved in the muscle changes. This study assessed morphological alterations and the expression of genes and proteins linked to muscular atrophy and neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) in KOA, induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) in rats. Two groups of rats were assessed: control (without intervention) and KOA (ACLT surgery in the right knee). After 8 weeks, quadriceps, tibialis anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius muscles were analyzed (area of muscle fibers, NMJ, gene and protein expression). KOA group showed atrophy in quadriceps (15.7%) and TA (33%), with an increase in atrogin-1 and muscle RING-finger protein-1 (MuRF-1). KOA group showed quadriceps NMJ remodeling (reduction area and perimeter) and decrease in NMJ diameter in TA muscle. The expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) γ-nAChR increased and that of α-nAChR and muscle specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) declined in the quadriceps, with a decrease in ε-nAChR in TA. MuRF-1 protein expression increased in quadriceps and TA, with no changes in neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM). In conclusion, ACLT-induced KOA promotes NMJ remodeling and atrophy in quadriceps and TA muscles, associated with inflammatory signs and changes in muscle gene and protein expression.

Static or dynamic stretching program does not change the acute responses of neuromuscular and functional performance in healthy subjects: a single-blind randomized controlled trial / Programa de alongamento estático ou dinâmico não altera as respostas agudas do desempenho neuromuscular e funcional de sujeitos saudáveis: ensaio controlado randomizado e cego / Un programa de estiramientos estáticos o dinámicos no modifica las respuestas agudas del rendimiento neuromuscular y funcional en individuos sanos: ensayo ciego controlado de distribución aleatoria

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a single hamstring static or dynamic stretching session and a 10-session stretching program on the range of motion, neuromuscular performance and functional performance of healthy subjects. Forty-five, healthy, active men were divided into three groups: control; static stretching and dynamic stretching. There were no significant differences in ratings between the experimental and control groups for any of the variables (p > 0.05). It can be concluded that neither a single session of hamstring static or dynamic stretching nor a 10-session stretching program affected range of motion, neuromuscular or functional performance.

Resumo A proposta deste estudo foi comparar os efeitos de uma única sessão de alongamento estático ou dinâmico dos isquiotibias e dez sessões do programa de alongamento na amplitude de movimento e desempenho neuromuscular e funcional de indivíduos saudáveis. Quarenta e cinco homens ativos e saudáveis, foram distribuídos em três grupos: controle, alongamento estático e alongamento dinâmico. Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos experimentais e controle para todas as variáveis (p >0,05). Pode-se concluir que nem uma única sessão de alongamento estático e dinâmico dos isquiotibiais, nem 10 sessões do programa de alongamento afetaram a amplitude de movimento e o desempenho neuromuscular e funcional.

Resumen El propósito de este estudio fue comparar los efectos de una sola sesión de estiramientos estático o dinámico en los isquiotibiales, y diez sesiones del programa de estiramiento en el rango de movimiento y rendimiento neuromuscular y funcional de individuos sanos. Cuarenta y cinco hombres activos y sanos fueron divididos en tres grupos: control, estiramiento estático y estiramiento dinámico. No hubo ninguna diferencia considerable entre los grupos experimentales y de control respecto a todas las variables (p >0,05). Se puede concluir que ni una sola sesión de estiramiento estático o dinámico de los isquiotibiales ni 10 sesiones del programa de estiramiento afectaron al rango de movimiento ni al rendimiento neuromuscular y funcional.