Effect of unilateral stretching on contralateral strength performance

Abstract

Objectives

Our aim was to identify the effects of a unilateral stretching on both stretched and non‐stretched maximal voluntary contraction by gender.

Method

Sample was composed of 80 asymptomatic college students (44 females, 36 males), regardless of physical activity level (21.3 ± 3.7 years, 166.7 ± 8.8 cm, 64.6 ± 16.0 kg). Maximal voluntary contraction was measured on both members at rest, and after three sets of 20 s unilateral passive stretching exercise on dominant member (20 min interval). Data were analyzed by two way repeated measures ANOVA.

Results

Results showed a significant difference on pre and post‐stretching maximal voluntary contraction (32 ± 13 vs 29 ± 12 kgf y 31 ± 13 vs 28 ± 12 kgf, for control and stretching, respectively, p < 0.001), with no difference for stretching and control members (p = 0.951), while men showed a greater loss of strength than women (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

our results sustain the premise that deleterious effects of stretching on strength are not only due to mechanical factors, as muscle complacence. It is possible that neural inhibition has reflection in reduction of strength.