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.
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。