222
Rubini et al.
10. Kokkonen J, Nelson AG, Cornwell A. Acute muscle stretching
stretching. Tolerance to pain also seems to be in-
inhibits maximal strength performance. Res Q Exerc Sport
creased, allowing range of motion to be greater and
1998; 69 (4): 411-5
11. Avela J, Kyr¨ol¨ainen H, Komi PV. Altered reflex sensitivity after
closer to the maximal limit of the stretched struc-
repeated and prolonged passive muscle stretching. J Appl
tures, and consequently, closer to injury risk. The
Physiol 1999; 86 (4): 1283-91
hypothesis that flexibility exercises preceding other
12. Fowles JR, Sale DG, Macdougall JD. Reduced strength after
passive stretch of the human plantarflexors. J Appl Physiol
physical activities may lead to greater injury risks
2000; 89: 1179-88
should be considered and investigated in future stud-
13. Behm DG, Button DC, Butt JC. Factors affecting force loss with
ies.
prolonged stretching. Can J Appl Physiol 2001; 26: 262-72
Many mechanisms underlying stretching exer-
14. Nelson AG, Allen JD, Cornwell A, et al. Inhibition of maximal
voluntary isometric torque production by acute stretching is
cises still demand investigation so that links be-
joint-angle specific. Res Q Exerc Sport 2001; 72 (1): 68-70
tween the observed effects, their causes and conse-
15. Nelson AG, Kokkonen J. Acute ballistic muscle stretching
quences may be constructed.
inhibits maximal strength performance. Res Q Exerc Sport
2001; 72 (4): 415-9
16. Nelson AG, Guillory IK, Cornwell A, et al. Inhibition of maxi-
Acknowledgements
mal voluntary isokinetic torque production following stretch-
ing is velocity-specific. J Strength Cond Res 2001; 15: 241-6
17. Tricoli V, Paulo AP. Efeito agudo dos exerc´icios de alonga-
We would like to thank the Conselho Nacional de
mento sobre o desempenho de for¸ca m´axima. Atividade F´isica
Desenvolvimento Cient´ifico e Tecnol´ogico (CNPQ), Minis-
e Sa´ude 2002; 7 (1): 6-12
try of Education, Brazil, for their financial support to Ercole
18. Evetovich TK, Nauman NJ, Conley DS, et al. Effect of static
C Rubini. The authors would also like to thank Dr Marta Inez
stretching of the biceps brachii on torque, electromyography,
Rodrigues Pereira for the preparation of the English version
and mechanomyography during concentric isokinetic muscle
of the manuscript and Dr Ana Maria Miragaya for reviewing
actions. J Strength Cond Res 2003; 17 (3): 484-8
the English version. The authors have no conflicts of interest
19. Avela J, Finni T, Liikavainio T, et al. Neural and mechanical
directly relevant to the content of this review.
responses of the triceps surae muscle group after one hour
repeated fast passive stretches. J Appl Physiol 2004; 96:
2325-32
20. Cramer JT, Housh TJ, Johnson GO, et al. Acute effects of static
References
stretching on peak torque in women. J Strength Cond Res
1. American College of Sports Medicine. Position stand on the
2004; 18 (2): 236-41
recommended quantity and quality of exercise for developing
21. Rubini EC, Pereira MIR, Gomes PSC. Acute effect of static and
and maintaining cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, and
PNF stretching on hip adductor isometric strength. Med Sci
flexibility in healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1998; 30
Sports Exerc 2005; 37 (5): S183-4
(6): 975-91
2. Pope RP, Herbert RD, Kirwan JD. Effects of ankle dorsiflexion
22. Power K, Behm D, Cahill F, et al. An acute bout of static
range and pre-exercise calf muscle stretching on injury risk in
stretching: effects on force and jumping performance. Med Sci
army recruits. Aust J Physiother 1998; 44: 165-77
Sports Exerc 2004; 36 (8): 1389-96
3. Pope RP, Herbert RD, Kirwan JD, et al. A randomized trial of
23. Nelson AG, Kokkonen J, Eldredge C. Strength inhibition fol-
pre-exercise stretching for prevention of lower-limb injury.
lowing an acute stretch is not limited to novice stretchers. Res
Med Sci Sports Exerc 2000; 32: 271-7
Q Exerc Sport 2005; 76 (4): 500-6
4. Johansson PH, Lindstrom L, Sundelin G, et al. The effects of
24. Marek SM, Cramer JT, Fincher AL, et al. Acute effects of static
pre-exercise on muscular soreness, tenderness and force loss
and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching on
following heavy eccentric exercise. Scand J Med Sci Sports
muscle strength and power output. J Athl Train 2005; 40 (2):
1999; 9: 219-25
94-103
5. Herbert RD, Gabriel M. Effects of stretching before and after
25. Mello ML, Gomes PSC. Acute effect of static and PNF stretch-
exercising on muscle soreness and risk of injury: systematic
ing on dominant knee flexion and extension strength [abstract].
review. BMJ 2002; 325: 1-5
Med Sci Sports Exerc 2005; 37 (5): S183
6. Young WB, Behm DG. Should static stretching be used during a
26. Cramer JT, Housh TJ, Weir JP, et al. The acute effects of static
warm-up for strength and power activities? J Strength Cond
stretching on peak torque, mean power output, electromy-
Res 2002; 24 (6): 33-7
ography, and mechanomyography. Eur J Appl Physiol 2005;
7. Weldon SM, Hill RH. The efficacy of stretching for prevention
93: 530-9
of exercise-related injury: a systematic review of the literature.
27. Derek EW, Tingley J, Elder GCB. Acute passive stretching
Man Ther 2003; 8 (3): 141-50
alters the mechanical properties of human plantar flexors and
8. Thacker SB, Gilchrist J, Stroup DF, et al. The impact of stretch-
the optimal angle for maximal voluntary contraction. Eur J
ing on sports injury risk: a systematic review of the literature.
Appl Physiol 2005; 93: 614-23
Med Sci Sports Exerc 2004; 36 (3): 371-8
9. Shrier I. Does stretching improve performance? A systematic
28. Behm DG, Bradbury EE, Haynes AT, et al. Flexibility is not
and critical review of the literature. Clin J Sport Med 2004; 14
related to stretch-induced deficits in force or power. J Sports
(5): 267-73
Sci Med 2006; 5: 33-42
2007 Adis Data Information BV. All rights reserved.
Sports Med 2007; 37 (3)
Study 