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Does stretch training induce muscle hypertrophy in humans? A review of the literature
- Source :
- Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging. 40:148-156
- Publication Year :
- 2020
- Publisher :
- Wiley, 2020.
-
Abstract
- Stretch training is widely used in a variety of fitness-related capacities such as increasing joint range of motion, preventing contractures and alleviating injuries. Moreover, some researches indicate that stretch training may induce muscle hypertrophy; however, studies on the topic have been primarily relegated to animal and in vitro models. The purpose of this brief review was to evaluate whether stretch training is a viable strategy to induce muscle hypertrophy in humans. An extensive literature search was performed using PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO and Scopus databases, using terms related to stretching and muscle hypertrophy. Only human trials that evaluated changes in measures of muscle size or architecture following training protocols that it was performed stretching exercises were selected for inclusion. Of the 10 studies identified, 3 observed some significantly positive effects of stretch training on muscle structure. Intriguingly, in these studies, the stretching was carried out with an apparatus that aided in its performance, or with an external overload. In all studies, the subjects performed stretching at their own self-determined range of motion, and no effect was observed. Of the 5 available studies that integrated stretching into a resistance training programme, 2 applied the stretching in the interset rest period and were the ones that showed enhanced muscle growth. In conclusion, passive, low-intensity stretch does not appear to confer beneficial changes in muscle size and architecture; alternatively, albeit limited evidence suggests that when stretching is done with a certain degree of tensile strain (particularly when loaded, or added between active muscle contractions) may elicit muscle hypertrophy.
- Subjects :
- medicine.medical_specialty
Muscle size
Flexibility (anatomy)
Physiology
business.industry
Resistance training
Hypertrophy
030229 sport sciences
General Medicine
030204 cardiovascular system & hematology
Muscle hypertrophy
03 medical and health sciences
Rest period
0302 clinical medicine
Physical medicine and rehabilitation
medicine.anatomical_structure
Muscle Stretching Exercises
Physiology (medical)
medicine
Humans
Active muscle
Muscle, Skeletal
Range of motion
business
Muscle contracture
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 1475097X and 14750961
- Volume :
- 40
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....be6528198ac24f8d602ea24e0a1da222