Researcher from Universitat der Bundeswehr Munchen Describes Findings in Applied Physiology (Unlocking the benefit of active stretch: The Eccentric muscle action not the preload maximizes muscle-tendon unit stretch-shortening cycle performance).

A recent study conducted by researchers from Universitat der Bundeswehr Munchen in Germany explored the benefits of active stretch in muscle-tendon unit stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) performance. The study found that SSCs, which involve muscle stretch before shortening, outperformed shortening contractions preceded by isometric contractions in terms of force, work, and power production. The researchers concluded that the stretch-induced higher preload level and stretch-induced history dependence effects both contribute to the SSC-effect, with preload accounting for 65% and history-dependent mechanisms accounting for 35%. This research provides valuable insights into the factors that maximize SSC performance. [Extracted from the article]