Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: Previous stretching studies mostly investigated effects on the skeletal muscle but comprehensive explorations regarding the role of the connective tissue are scarce. Since the deep fascia has been demonstrated to be sensitive to mechanical tension, it was hypothesized that the fascia would also respond to stretching, contributing to enhanced range of motion (ROM).
METHODS: Forty (40) recreationally active participants (male: n = 25, female: n = 15) were included in the randomized controlled cross-over trial and allocated to different groups performing 5 min static (STAT) or dynamic (DYN) plantar flexor stretching or control condition (CC) in a random order. Pre- and immediately post-intervention, muscle and fascia stiffness, as well as muscle and fascia thickness were measured using high-resolution ultrasound and strain elastography. ROM was assessed in the ankle joint via the knee to wall test (KtW) and goniometer.
RESULTS: STAT reduced both, muscle and fascia stiffness (d = 0.78 and 0.42, p < 0.001, respectively), while DYN did not reduce stiffness compared to the control condition (p = 0.11-0.41). While both conditions showed significant increases in the KtW (d = 0.43-0.46, p = 0.02-0.04), no significant differences to the CC were observed for the isolated ROM testing (p = 0.09 and 0.77). There was a small correlation between fascia stiffness decreases and ROM increases (r = - 0.25, p = 0.006) but no association was found between muscle stiffness decreases and ROM increases (p = 0.13-0.40).
CONCLUSIONS: Our study is the first to reveal stretch-induced changes in fascia stiffness. Changes of fascia`s but not muscle`s mechanical properties may contribute to increased ROM following stretching.
METHODS: Forty (40) recreationally active participants (male: n = 25, female: n = 15) were included in the randomized controlled cross-over trial and allocated to different groups performing 5 min static (STAT) or dynamic (DYN) plantar flexor stretching or control condition (CC) in a random order. Pre- and immediately post-intervention, muscle and fascia stiffness, as well as muscle and fascia thickness were measured using high-resolution ultrasound and strain elastography. ROM was assessed in the ankle joint via the knee to wall test (KtW) and goniometer.
RESULTS: STAT reduced both, muscle and fascia stiffness (d = 0.78 and 0.42, p < 0.001, respectively), while DYN did not reduce stiffness compared to the control condition (p = 0.11-0.41). While both conditions showed significant increases in the KtW (d = 0.43-0.46, p = 0.02-0.04), no significant differences to the CC were observed for the isolated ROM testing (p = 0.09 and 0.77). There was a small correlation between fascia stiffness decreases and ROM increases (r = - 0.25, p = 0.006) but no association was found between muscle stiffness decreases and ROM increases (p = 0.13-0.40).
CONCLUSIONS: Our study is the first to reveal stretch-induced changes in fascia stiffness. Changes of fascia`s but not muscle`s mechanical properties may contribute to increased ROM following stretching.
摘要：
目的：以前的拉伸研究主要研究对骨骼肌的影响，但对结缔组织的作用缺乏全面的探索。由于深筋膜已被证明对机械张力敏感，据推测筋膜也会对伸展做出反应，有助于提高运动范围（ROM）。
方法：将40位（40位）从事娱乐活动的参与者（男性：n=25，女性：n=15）纳入随机对照交叉试验，并分配给以随机顺序进行5分钟静态（STAT）或动态（DYN）足底屈肌伸展或对照条件（CC）的不同组。干预前和干预后立即，肌肉和筋膜僵硬，以及使用高分辨率超声和应变弹性成像测量肌肉和筋膜厚度。通过膝壁测试（KtW）和测角仪在踝关节中评估ROM。
结果：STAT降低了两者，肌肉和筋膜硬度（d=0.78和0.42，p<0.001），而与对照条件相比，DYN没有降低刚度(p=0.11-0.41)。虽然这两种情况都显示KtW显着增加（d=0.43-0.46，p=0.02-0.04），在分离的ROM测试中没有观察到与CC的显著差异(p=0.09和0.77).筋膜硬度降低和ROM增加之间存在小的相关性（r=-0.25，p=0.006），但肌肉硬度降低和ROM增加之间没有相关性（p=0.13-0.40）。
结论：我们的研究首次揭示了牵张引起的筋膜硬度变化。筋膜的变化而不是肌肉的机械特性的变化可能有助于拉伸后ROM的增加。
方法：将40位（40位）从事娱乐活动的参与者（男性：n=25，女性：n=15）纳入随机对照交叉试验，并分配给以随机顺序进行5分钟静态（STAT）或动态（DYN）足底屈肌伸展或对照条件（CC）的不同组。干预前和干预后立即，肌肉和筋膜僵硬，以及使用高分辨率超声和应变弹性成像测量肌肉和筋膜厚度。通过膝壁测试（KtW）和测角仪在踝关节中评估ROM。
结果：STAT降低了两者，肌肉和筋膜硬度（d=0.78和0.42，p<0.001），而与对照条件相比，DYN没有降低刚度(p=0.11-0.41)。虽然这两种情况都显示KtW显着增加（d=0.43-0.46，p=0.02-0.04），在分离的ROM测试中没有观察到与CC的显著差异(p=0.09和0.77).筋膜硬度降低和ROM增加之间存在小的相关性（r=-0.25，p=0.006），但肌肉硬度降低和ROM增加之间没有相关性（p=0.13-0.40）。
结论：我们的研究首次揭示了牵张引起的筋膜硬度变化。筋膜的变化而不是肌肉的机械特性的变化可能有助于拉伸后ROM的增加。
