Abstract

TORRES, R.; CARVALHO, P.  and  DUARTE, J.A.. Effects of a static stretching program on clinical and biochemical markers of muscle damage induced by eccentric exercise. Rev. Port. Cien. Desp. [online]. 2005, vol.5, n.3, pp.274-287. ISSN 1645-0523.

The aims of this study were to determine if the quadriceps static stretching, (i) alone, induces aggression in the integral muscle, and if (ii) done after physical exercise, intensifies the muscular aggression clinical and biochemical manifestations. Twenty-seven young sedentary male subjects were divided in three groups. A protocol of static stretching was applied to group 1; a protocol of eccentric contractions was applied to group 2, while group 3 followed a protocol consisting of eccentric contractions (similar to the one performed by group 2) and stretching (identical to group 1). Clinical and biochemical parameters were evaluated immediately before and 1, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after exercise. The clinical evaluation included the quantification of pain induced by palpation, thigh girth, and Eccentric Maximal Peak Torque determination. The biochemical evaluation consisted on the quantification of plasmatic kinase creatine and oxaloacetic glutamic transaminase activities. No clinical or biochemical alterations were observed during the time in the group that only followed the stretching protocol. The muscular damage was identical in group 2 and group 3. Concluding, static stretching by itself does not seem to induce a skeletal muscular aggression in an integral quadriceps. When applied in this muscle after the aggression caused by eccentric exercise, it does not seem to intensify exercise miopathy clinical and biochemical manifestations.

Keywords : eccentric exercise; static stretching; muscular aggression; exercise miopathy; muscle soreness.

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