Establish of stretching method to improve viscoelasticity and hardness of muscle tendon and physical performance

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K16452
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Sports science
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: MAEDA NORIAKI 広島大学, 医歯薬保健学研究院(保), 助教 (10536783)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 筋腱の粘弾性 / 筋硬度 / 身体パフォーマンス / スタティックストレッチング / サイクリックストレッチング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of 4 week program of Cyclic Stretching (CS) for muscle hardness and stiffness and physical performance. In addition, we built a stretching method suitable for before and after sports activities and a new stretching method leading to trauma prevention. Static stretching (SS), which is commonly used, was also used as a control group of CS for 4 weeks. CS was improved muscle viscoelasticity and muscle hardness as well as SS. In addition, CS showed the effect of improving muscle power and physical performance. CS can provide a new method of stretching performed at sports scene. Clinical significance of this result is also high from the viewpoint of improving performance in sports. In future study, based on the characteristics of CS and SS, it is considered that clinical applications can be applied to improve physical performance by these stretching for athletes.

Free Research Field

スポーツ科学