Effects of contract-relax stretching training on muscle performance in athletes

M. Handel, T. Horstmann, H. H. Dickhuth, R. W. Gülch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

71 Scopus citations

Abstract

The effects of an 8-week unilateral contract-relax (CR) stretching training program (passive stretch after isometric contraction) on muscular performance were investigated in a group of 16 athletes. The flexibility, maximum torque and angular position as well as contraction work in movements of the knee joint were determined before training and after 4 and 8 weeks of training. The torque measurements were performed under isokinetic conditions, eccentrically at angular velocities of 60°·s-1 and 120°·s-1, isometrically at five different joint positions, and concentrically at angular velocities of 60, 120, 180 and 240°·s-1 using an isokinetic dynamometer. A surface electromyogram (EMG) of the thigh muscles (quadriceps and hamstrings) was recorded simultaneously. As compared to untrained control limbs, significant improvements in active and passive flexibility (up to 6.3°in range of motion), maximum torque (up to 21.6%) and work (up to 12.9%) were observed, and these were especially pronounced under eccentric load conditions. A comparison between integrated EMG recordings during eccentric and concentric loads, as well as the interpretation of the training-induced changes in the EMG, suggest that muscular activity under eccentric loads may be impaired by mental processes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)400-408
Number of pages9
JournalEuropean Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology
Volume76
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1997
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Contract-relax stretching training
  • Flexibility
  • Force-velocity relationship
  • Isokinetic dynamometry
  • Skeletal muscle

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