Minute oscillation stretching: A novel modality for reducing musculo-tendinous stiffness and maintaining muscle strength

Naoki Ikeda, Takahisa Yonezu, Yasuo Kawakami, Naoki Ikeda, Takahisa Yonezu, Yasuo Kawakami

Abstract

A novel stretching modality was developed to provide repetitive small length changes to the plantar flexors undergoing passive stretch defined as "minute oscillation stretching" (MOS). This study investigated the effects of MOS on neuromuscular activity during force production, the rate of torque development (RTD), and the elastic properties of the plantar flexors and Achilles tendon. Ten healthy males participated in this study. The neuromuscular activity of the triceps surae and tibialis anterior muscles during maximal voluntary plantar flexion torque [MVT], RTD of plantar flexion, Achilles tendon stiffness, and muscle stiffness were measured before and after two types of interventions for a total of 5 minutes: static stretching (SS) and MOS at 15 Hz and without intervention (control). Achilles tendon stiffness was calculated from the tendon elongation measuring by ultrasonography. Muscle stiffness was determined for the medial gastrocnemius [MG] using shear wave elastography. The MVT, mean electromyographic amplitudes [mEMG] of MG and lateral gastrocnemius [LG], and RTD were significantly decreased following SS (MVT: -7.2 ± 7.9%; mEMG of MG: -8.7 ± 10.2%; mEMG of LG: -12.4 ± 10.5%; RTD: -6.6 ± 6.8%), but not after MOS. Achilles tendon stiffness significantly decreased after SS (-13.4 ± 12.3%) and MOS (-9.7 ± 11.5%), with no significant differences between them. Muscle stiffness significantly decreased in SS and MOS, with relative changes being significantly greater for MOS (-7.9 ± 8.3%) than SS (-2.3 ± 2.9%) interventions. All variables remained unchanged in the controls. In conclusion, MOS changed muscle-tendon compliance without loss of muscle function.

Keywords: electromyography; muscle and tendon elasticity; rate of torque development; shear wave elastography; static stretching.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

© 2020 The Authors. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science In Sports published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A picture showing the implementation of minute oscillation stretching
Figure 2
Figure 2
Ultrasonic images of Achilles tendon during isometric plantar flexion (upper; full point: distal end of muscle belly of medial gastrocnemius)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Typical example of Achilles tendon stiffness (A) and hysteresis (B) analyses
Figure 4
Figure 4
Typical example of muscle shear wave velocity measurement
Figure 5
Figure 5
Changes in Achilles tendon stiffness (A) and hysteresis (B) in each condition. (CON: control; SS: static stretching; MOS: minute oscillation stretching. *Significantly changed compared with pre‐intervention (P < .05). Values are expressed as mean ± standard deviation
Figure 6
Figure 6
Changes in muscle stiffness in each condition (CON: control; SS: static stretching; MOS: minute oscillation stretching). *Significant change compared with pre‐intervention (P < .05). Values are expressed as mean ± standard deviation

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