Effects of Different Recovery Modalities on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, Recovery Perceptions, and Performance Following a Bout of High-Intensity Functional Training.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the foam rolling technique and static stretching on perceptual and neuromuscular parameters following a bout of high-intensity functional training (HIFT), which consisted of 100 pull-ups, 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, and 100 air squats (Angie benchmark) in recreationally trained men (n = 39). Following baseline measurements (Feeling Scale, Visual Analogue Scale, Total Quality Recovery, Sit-and-Reach, Countermovement Jump, and Change-of-Direction t-test), the volunteers performed a single bout of HIFT. At the end of the session, participants were randomly assigned to one of three distinct groups: control (CONT), foam rolling (FR), or static stretching (SS). At the 24 h time-point, a second experimental session was conducted to obtain the post-test values. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Regarding power performance, none of the three groups reached pretest levels at 24 h point of the intervention. However, the CONT group still showed a greater magnitude of effect at the 24 h time-point (ES = 0.51, p ≥ 0.05). Flexibility presented the same recovery pattern as power performance (post × 24 h CONT = ES = 0.28, FR = ES = 0.21, SS = ES = 0.19). At 24 h, all groups presented an impaired performance in the COD t-test (CONT = ES = 0.24, FR = ES = 0.65, SS = ES = 0.56 p ≥ 0.05). The FR protocol resulted in superior recovery perceptions (pre × 24 h TQR = ES = 0.32 p ≥ 0.05). The results of the present study indicate that the use of FR and SS exercises may not be indicated when aiming to restore neuromuscular performance following a single bout of HIFT. The use of the FR technique during the cooldown phase of a HIFT session may be helpful in improving an individual's perception of recovery.

Acute Effects of Inter-set Stretching on Performance and Metabolic Parameters of Resistance-trained Men.

The present study investigated acute muscular performance and metabolic responses to resistance training (RT) with inter-set stretching (ISS). Seventeen resistance-trained men (age: 30.0 ± 5.6 years; body mass: 81.8 ± 13.4 kg; height: 173 ± 6.2 cm; RT experience: 4.6 ± 1.7 years) completed the ISS and traditional training (TT) protocol seven days apart in a randomized order. In both protocols, 7 sets of the seated cable fly exercise were performed with a 10-repetition maximum (10-RM) load. During the ISS protocol, subjects completed inter-set passive static stretching of the agonist muscles for 45 seconds, while a passive rest (no stretching) was adopted for the same duration in the TT protocol. The change in maximal bench press strength (1-RM), muscle swelling (ultrasound) of the pectoralis major (PMMS), and blood lactate were assessed immediately following each protocol. Additionally, the total load lifted (TLL) and internal training load (ITL) were assessed in both protocols. There was no difference between protocols for the change in maximal bench press 1-RM (p > 0.05). There were higher values for PMMS (p < 0.05) and blood lactate (p < 0.05) following the TT versus the ISS protocol. The TT resulted in higher TLL (p < 0.05) and ITL values (p < 0.05) versus the ISS protocol. Resistance training with inter-set stretching results in lower acute performance and metabolic responses versus traditional training with passive rest between sets. Therefore, inter-set stretching might be applied within a periodized program on lower intensity days to reduce the overall stress of a session.

Efecto de los estiramientos estáticos durante el calentamiento sobre la potencia del salto en deportistas de fútbol sala

Objetivo: Determinar los efectos del estiramiento estático en la musculatura isquiosural durante el calentamiento sobre la potencia del salto. Materiales y métodos: Participaron 80 deportistas de fútbol sala universitario, distribuidos en 2 grupos; el primer grupo realizó calentamiento más estiramientos estáticos de la musculatura isquiosural, mientras que el segundo solo realizó los ejercicios precompetitivos. Para la evaluación de la potencia se utilizaron los test Squat Jump y Counter Movement Jump. Resultados: Se encontró posterior al estiramiento estático un descenso en la altura, velocidad y tiempo de vuelo al término y a los 5 minutos; se presentó una recuperación en los valores a los 10 minutos (p 0,05). Conclusión: Los estiramientos estáticos durante el calentamiento producen un descenso de la potencia del salto los primeros minutos posteriores a este tipo de ejercicios.

Objective: To determine the effects of static stretching in hamstring musculature during warm-up on jumping power. Materials and method: 80 indoor soccer players take part in this study, distributed in 2 groups. The first one warm-up and static stretching in hamstring musculature, and the second one did only precompetitive exercises. Squat Jump and Counter Movement Jump tests were used to evaluate power. Results: A descend in high, velocity, and fly time, at the end and after 5 minutes, were found after the static stretching. At 10 minutes (p = 0,05). Conclusion: Static stretching during warm-up produces a descend in jump power during the first minutes.

Alongamento estático de alta intensidade não afeta o volume absoluto de uma sessão de treinamento de força para o peitoral maior e deltoide anterior / High intensity static-stretching protocol does not affect the absolute volume in a resistance training session for pectoralis major and anterior deltoid

O alongamento estático (AE) reduz o desempenho de atividades máximas de força e potência tais como saltos, arremessos e levantamentos. Entretanto, seus efeitos em repetições submáximas levadas até a falha concêntrica em exercícios isolados para o peitoral maior e deltoide anterior são pouco conhecidos. Portanto, o objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar o efeito agudo do AE na máxima amplitude de movimento passiva (ADMP) e no volume absoluto por exercício (VAE) e por total de séries (VAS) em uma sessão de treinamento de força para o peitoral maior (PM) e deltoide anterior (DA). A amostra foi composta por 11 homens saudáveis (idade: 24,4 ± 3,6 anos; estatura: 174,8 ± 4,4 cm; massa: 83,4 ± 9,8 kg), todos treinados em força (6 ± 3 anos) e com experiência nos exercícios (pecdeck, crossover e crucifixo com halteres). Os sujeitos se apresentaram no laboratório em três sessões. Na primeira sessão foram coletados os dados pessoais, antropométricos e foi realizado o teste de 10RM para os três exercícios (pecdeck, crossover e crucifixo com halteres), separadamente. As condições experimentais foram realizadas na segunda e terceira sessão de forma aleatória. Os sujeitos realizaram a sessão de treinamento de forca para o PM e DA com 5 séries de 10RM e intervalo de 1-min para os exercícios pecdeck, crossover e crucifixo com halteres com alongamento (COM-A) e sem alongamento passivo (SEM-A). O protocolo de alongamento foi composto por 6 séries de 45" e 15" de intervalo a 70-90% da percepção subjetiva de desconforto visando os adutores horizontais do ombro. Os resultados indicam que para a ADMP, ambas as condições (COM-A e SEM-A) apresentaram redução entre os momentos pré-sessão vs. pós-sessão (P<0,01). O volume absoluto não apresentou diferenças entre exercícios ou condições (P=0,184). Conclui-se que a o alongamento estático não influencia o volume absoluto da sessão de treinamento para o peitoral maior e deltoide anterior, entretanto aumenta a máxima amplitude de movimento passivo....(AU)

Static stretching (SS) reduces the performance of maximum strength and power activities such as jumps, throws, and lifts. However, its effects on submaximal repetitions until concentric failure in isolated exercises (for the major pectoralis and anterior deltoid) are poorly understood. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to verify the acute effect of the SS in the maximum passive range of movement (PROM) and the absolute volume per exercise (VAE) and total number of sets (VAS) in a resistance training session targeting the pectoralis major (PM) and anterior deltoid (AD). The sample consisted of 11 healthy men (age: 24.4 ± 3.6 years, height: 174.8 ± 4.4 cm, mass: 83.4 ± 9.8 kg). The subjects presented in the laboratory in three different sessions. In the first session, the personal and anthropometrical data were collected, and the 10RM test was performed for all exercises (pecdeck, crossover and dumbbell flat fly), separately. The experimental conditions were performed in the second and third sessions at random fashion. The subjects performed the resistance training session with 5 sets of 10RM and 1-min of rest interval for all exercises with SS (W-SS) and without SS (WT-SS). The SS protocol was composed of 6 sets of 45-sec and 15-sec of rest intervals at 70-90% of the subjective perception of discomfort targeting the horizontal adductors of the shoulder. The absolute volume did not show significant differences between exercises or conditions (P=0.184). It is concluded that the SS does not influence the absolute volume of the resistance training session for the PM and AD, however, the SS increases the maximum passive range of movement....(AU)

Could inter-set stretching increase acute neuromuscular and metabolic responses during resistance exercise?

This study investigated the acute effects of inter-set static stretching (ISS) during resistance exercise (RE) on the subsequent neuromuscular and metabolic responses. Twelve resistance-trained men performed three different knee extension RE protocols comprised of seven sets of 10 repetitions in a counterbalanced fashion. The three protocols were: 1) ISS (subjects performed 25 sec of quadriceps stretching between sets during 40 sec rest interval); 2) control (CON, subject passively rested between sets for 40 sec); 3) traditional (TRA, subject passively rested between sets for 120 sec). Total work was lower (p < 0.05) in ISS than CON and TRA (p <0.05). The fatigue index was greater (p < 0.05) in ISS compared with CON and TRA. ISS also resulted in lower (p < 0.05) electromyography (EMG) amplitude during the 6th and 7th sets compared with TRA. Additionally, EMG frequency was lower (p < 0.05) from the 3rd to 5th sets during ISS compared to CON, and from the 3rd to 7th sets compared to TRA. Muscle swelling and blood lactate similarly increased (p > 0.05) in response to all protocols. These results indicate that ISS negatively impacts neuromuscular performance, and does not increase the metabolic stress compared to passive rest intervals.

Does the combination of resistance training and stretching increase cardiac overload?

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of combinations of resistance training (RT) and static stretching (SS) on heart rate (HR), systolic pressure (SBP), diastolic pressure (DBP), rate pressure product (RPP), oxygen saturation (SpO2), rating of perceived effort (RPE), and heart rate variability (HRV) in men. METHODS: Twelve normotensive healthy men participated in four protocols: a) SS+RT, b) RT+SS, c) RT, and d) SS. Variables were measured before, immediately after, and 15, 30, and 45 min after the sessions. RESULTS: The combination of SS and RT increased (p<0.001) HR when compared to the effects of the noncombined protocols (from 2.38 to 11.02%), and this result indicated metabolic compensation. Regarding DBP, there were differences (p<0.001) between the RT and SS groups (53.93±8.59 vs. 67.00±7.01 mmHg). SS has been shown to be able to reduce (p<0.001) SpO2 (4.67%) due to the occlusion caused by a reduction in the caliber of the blood vessels during SS compared to during rest. The increase in RPP (6.88% between RT and SS+RT) along with the HR results indicated higher metabolic stress than that reflected by the RPE (combined protocols increased RPE from 21.63 to 43.25%). The HRV analysis confirmed these results, showing increases (p<0.01) in the LF index between the combined and noncombined protocols. Compared to the effect of RT, the combination of SS and RT promoted a vagal suppression root mean square of the successive differences (RMSSD) index (from 9.51 to 21.52%) between the RT and SS+RT groups (p<0.01) and between the RT and RT+SS groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Static stretching increases cardiac overload and RPE, reducing oxygen supply, especially when performed in combination with RT.

Low intensity static stretching does not modulate heart rate variability in trained men / Alongamento estático de baixa intensidade não modula a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca em homens treinados

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the acute effect of static stretching on heart rate variability in trained men. METHODS: Eight subjects were randomly submitted to two situations, as follows: a static stretch protocol and 20 minutes at rest. The stretch protocol consisted of two sets of 30 seconds of static stretch of the chest muscles with a 40 second of interval between them. After 48 hours, the procedures were reversed so that all the subjects should were submitted to the two situations. The values of heart rate variability were measured before and after the experimental and control situation (stretch vs. rest). We registered the following cardiac variables: root mean square of standard deviation (rMSSD), the number of pairs of successive beats that differ by more than 50 ms (pNN50), low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF). The Shapiro-Wilk and the paired Student's test were used for statistical analysis; a critical level of significance of p < 0.05 was adopted. RESULTS: No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found (stretching vs. control) to the RMSSD, pNN50, LF and HF indices. However, although no statistical differences were observed, the figures show large changes on mean values, suggesting an unclear effect on the sympathetic-vagal modulation. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that a low intensity (motion range until discomfort point) and volume (1 minute) of static stretching does not significantly affect the acute sympathetic-vagal control in trained men. Because the protocol did not show differences regarding the studied variables, we suggest that there is not a sufficient level of physiological basis to perform this type of exercise in a traditional pre-exercise setting, if the purpose is obtain gains in physical performance.

OBJETIVO: Nosso objetivo foi verificar o efeito agudo do alongamento estático sobre a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca (VFC) em homens treinados. MÉTODOS: Oito voluntários (n = 8) foram randomicamente submetidos a duas situações, a saber: alongamento estático (AE) ou 20 minutos em repouso (CTRL). O protocolo de alongamento consistiu em duas séries de 30 segundos para musculatura do peitoral (40 segundos de intervalo). Após 48 horas, os procedimentos foram realizados de maneira reversa, de forma que todos os participantes realizaram as duas situações (ALONGAMENTO e CRTL) ao final do estudo. Os valores de VFC foram medidos antes e imediatamente depois das situações experimental e controle (alongamento vs. repouso). Para registro das variáveis cardíacas coletadas (rMSSD, pNN50, LF e HF) no presente estudo, nós utilizamos um relógio Polar RS800CX (Polar Electro OY, Finland). As análises estatísticas realizadas foram feitas através da aplicação do teste de Shapiro-Wilk seguido pelo teste t de Student pareado, sendo adotado um nível crítico de significância de p < 0.05. RESULTADOS: Nenhuma diferença significativa (p > 0.05) foi observada (alongamento vs. controle) quando as variáveis foram analisadas. CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo sugere que o alongamento estático com baixo volume de aplicação não altera significativamente o controle simpato-vagal em homens treinados. Na medida em que o protocolo utilizado não resultou em diferenças significativas nas variáveis estudadas, nós inferimos que não há fundamento fisiologicamente válido para a realização deste tipo de exercício em sua forma tradicional pré-exercício quando o objetivo for a obtenção de ganhos na performance física.

Acute effects of antagonist static stretching in the inter-set rest period on repetition performance and muscle activation.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of antagonist passive static stretching (AS) during the inter-set rest period on repetition performance and muscle activation. Ten trained men (22.4 ± 0.9 years) participated in this study. Two protocols were adopted: Passive recovery (PR)--three sets to repetition failure were performed for the seated row (SR) with two-minute rest interval between sets without pre-exercise stretching; AS--forty seconds of stretching was applied to pectoralis major prior to each set of SR. Significant increases in the number of repetitions were noted under AS compared with PR (p < 0.05). Significant increases on latissimus dorsi (p = 0.002) and biceps brachii (p = 0.001) muscle activity were noted inter-sets under the AS compared with the PR condition. Therefore, the AS adopted during the inter-set rest period may enhance repetition performance and activation of agonist muscles in an acute manner.

Relief from Back Pain Through Postural Adjustment: a Controlled Clinical Trial of the Immediate Effects of Muscular Chains Therapy (MCT).

INTRODUCTION: Back pain can be one of the most common health problems, causing suffering, disabilities, and financial losses. Postural models for pain treatment state that poor posture alters the joint position and causes pain, such as back pain. Muscular Chain Therapy (MCT) is a technique that is used to treat posture pathologies, among others. PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to assess the efficiency of a single session of Muscular Chain Therapy (MCT) on complaints of undiagnosed musculoskeletal spinal pain. SETTING: Physical therapy clinic of the University of Center-West (Guarapuava, Brazil). PARTICIPANTS: 100 subjects, aged between 20 and 39 years, with complaints of spinal musculoskeletal pain. RESEARCH DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. INTERVENTION: The participants were randomly assigned by a non-care provider into two groups: The MCT Group that received Muscular Chain Treatment and the Control Group that received a placebo treatment of 15 minutes turned off ultrasound therapy. All volunteers were assessed before and after treatment using an analog pain scale. A score of 0 indicated no pain and 10 was the maximum degree of pain on the scale. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Degree of pain measured by analog scale. RESULTS: The chi-square goodness of fit test was used to compare gender distribution among groups displayed a p value = .25. Subject age had differences analyzed using the unpaired t test (p = .44). Pain assessment for treatment and placebo control groups was analyzed using a paired t test and unpaired t test. The paired t test was used for intragroup before/after treatment comparison (MCT p = .00001; Control Group p = .0001). The unpaired t test was used for comparing the difference of the pain level before and after treatment between groups (p = .0001). A priori statistical significance was set a p = .05. CONCLUSION: It is possible to conclude that one MCT session is an effective treatment of undiagnosed spinal musculoskeletal pain.

Influência de diferentes intervalos de recuperação entre o alongamento estático passivo e desempenho de força muscular / Influence of differents rest intervals between passive static stretching and strength performance

Estudos prévios indicam efeitos deletérios do alongamento muscular prévio sobre a força. Todavia, são escassas as evidências relacionadas aos efeitos de diferentes intervalos de recuperação entre o alongamento muscular e as séries de resistência de força. O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar o efeito de diferentes intervalos de recuperação entre o alongamento estático passivo (AEP) e o desempenho de repetições máximas realizadas nos exercícios: voador peitoral (VP) e cadeira extensora (CE). Participaram do estudo 14 homens (22 ± 4 anos, 71 ± 7 kg, 1,75 ± 0,06 m e 23,1 ± 1,7 kg/m2) treinados em média há 2 ± 1 ano. Inicialmente, foi realizado teste e reteste de 10 RM nos exercícios VP e CE em dois dias distintos (intervalo de 48 h). Nas sessões seguintes aplicaram-se cinco protocolos: a) série de resistência de força (SF) sem AEP prévio no VP e CE (TSA); b) SF imediatamente após AEP (TSI); c) SF 5 min após AEP (T5); d) SF 10 min após AEP (T10); e) SF 15 min após AEP (T15), registrando-se o máximo de repetições realizadas com 90% da carga de 10RM sem falha na técnica. Aplicou-se o teste de Shapiro-Wilk e ANOVA one-way para medidas repetidas seguido pelo post hoc de Bonferroni adotando-se p < 0,05. Foram observadas diferenças significativas no número de repetições máximas realizadas no TSI comparado ao TSA, todavia, após intervalos de 5, 10 e 15 min não se verificou diferença significativa entre os protocolos. Os achados do presente estudo confirmam o efeito deletério do AEP sobre a força muscular quando realizados sem intervalo, todavia, intervalos de 5 a 15 min podem possivelmente evitar o comprometimento da resistência muscular durante exercícios monoarticulares em indivíduos treinados.

Previous researchers have suggested a deleterious effect of previous stretching exercises on muscle strength. However, there is not enough data indicating the effects of different rest intervals between stretching and muscle endurance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different rest intervals between passive static stretching (PSS) and the performance of repetitions maximum in the following exercises: pectoral fly (PF) and knee extension (KE). Fourteen men (22 ± 4 years, 71 ± 7 kg, 1.75 ± 0.06 m and 23.1 ± 1.7 kg/m2) with previous resistance training experience (2 ± 1 years) participated as subject in the current study. Initially, 10RM test and retest was performed in KE and PF exercises on two non-consecutive days (48 h apart). In the following sessions five protocols were applied: a) muscular endurance set (MES) without prior PSS in PF and KE (TWS); b) MES immediately after PSS (T1); c) MES 5 min after PSS (T5); d) MES 10 min after PSS (T10); e) MES 15 min after PSS (T15), and the, maximum number of repetitions completed at 90% of 10RM without technical failure were registered. Data was analyzed by Shapiro-Wilk test and one-way ANOVA for repeated measures followed by Bonferroni post hoc adopting p < 0.05. Significant differences were observed in the maximum number of repetitions completed in T1 compared to TWS. However, after intervals of 5, 10 and 15 min there was no significant difference between the protocols. The findings of the current study confirmed the deleterious effect of PSS on muscle strength when performed without interval. However, rest intervals between 5 and 15 min may avoid the deleterious effect on muscle endurance during single joint exercises performed by trained individuals.

Acute effects of three different stretching protocols on the wingate test performance.

The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of different stretching exercises on the performance of the traditional Wingate test (WT). Fifteen male participants performed five WT; one for familiarization (FT), and the remaining four after no stretching (NS), static stretching (SS), dynamic stretching (DS), and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF). Stretches were targeted for the hamstrings, quadriceps, and calf muscles. Peak power (PP), mean power (MP), and the time to reach PP (TP) were calculated. The MP was significantly lower when comparing the DS (7.7 ± 0.9 W/kg) to the PNF (7.3 ± 0.9 W/kg) condition (p < 0.05). For PP, significant differences were observed between more comparisons, with PNF stretching providing the lowest result. A consistent increase of TP was observed after all stretching exercises when compared to NS. The results suggest the type of stretching, or no stretching, should be considered by those who seek higher performance and practice sports that use maximal anaerobic power.

Efeito agudo do alongamento estático em músculo agonista nos níveis de ativação e no desempenho da força de homens treinados / Acute effect of static stretching in agonist muscle on the levels of activation and on strength performance of trained men

Investigar os efeitos do alongamento muscular na resposta aguda neural tornou-se foco bastante atrativo de pesquisas atuais quando se considera que o desempenho da força está diretamente relacionado a alterações dos níveis de ativação muscular. Este estudo avaliou os efeitos de 10 a 40 segundos de alongamento estático na ativação muscular e no desempenho da força precedido ao teste de repetição máxima de sujeitos treinados. Foram avaliados 20 homens com idade média de 21,75 (± 3,49) randomizados em quatro grupos de acordo com os seguintes tempos de alongamento: TF10s, TF20s, TF30s, TF40s - TF corresponde a Treinamento de Força. Na etapa Controle (C) os sujeitos foram submetidos ao teste de repetição máxima no exercício de supino com halteres. Na etapa Experimental (E) foram submetidos ao alongamento estático com intensidade de 10 por cento de 1RM, seguidamente realizaram o teste de repetição máxima. Nas duas etapas foram realizadas as análises da ativação muscular com eletromiografia de superfície. Como procedimento estatístico utilizou-se ANOVA one way comparando características antropométricas e funcionais dos grupos, o teste t foi utilizado para amostras pareadas, comparando controle e experimental (p < 0,05). Resultados: Não foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas (p > 0,05); no desempenho da força e nos níveis de ativação agonista comparando os diferentes tempos de alongamento da etapa (E) ao experimento sem alongamento da etapa (C). Conclusão: O exercício de alongamento nos tempos e intensidades estudados parecem não exercer efeito agudo sobre os níveis de ativação a ponto de potencializar o desempenho da força em teste de repetições máxima. Desta forma, outras intensidades de alongamento podem ser investigadas buscando modular positivamente estes resultados.

The investigation of the effects of muscle stretching on the neural acute response has become a fairly attractive issue on current research when it is considered that strength performance is closely related to alterations on the levels of muscle activation. This study assessed the effects of 10 to 40 seconds of static stretching on the muscle activation as well as strength performance preceded by a repetition maximum test of trained subjects. 20 men, mean age of 21.75 (± 3.9), randomized in four groups according to the following stretching times: RT10s, RT20s, RT30s, RT40s - where RT corresponds to Resistance Training, were assessed. In the Control phase (C), the subjects were submitted to the repetition maximum test in the bench press with dumbbells exercise. In the Experimental Phase (E), they were submitted to static stretching with intensity of 10 percent of 1RM followed by the repetition maximum test. Muscle activation was assessed in the two phases with surface electromyography. One-way ANOVA was applied for statistical assessment, comparing anthropometric and functional characteristics of the groups, t test was used for paired samples, comparing control and experimental ones (p < 0.05). Results: Statistically significant differences have not been found (p > 0.05) in strength performance or levels of agonist activation when the different studied times and intensities in the (E) phase and the experiment with no stretching in the (C) phase were compared. Conclusion: Stretching exercise in the studied times and intensities does not seem to acutely affect the levels of activation in order to boost strength performance in a repetition maximum test. Therefore, different stretching intensities can be investigated with the aim to positively modulate these outcomes.