High- versus low-volume static stretching and eccentric exercise: a randomized controlled trial in older adults with hamstring tightness and possible sarcopenia.
{"title":"High- versus low-volume static stretching and eccentric exercise: a randomized controlled trial in older adults with hamstring tightness and possible sarcopenia.","authors":"Nongnuch Luangpon, Wirasinee Srijunto, Juntip Namsawang, Sirawee Chaovalit, Audrius Snieckus, Sarawut Lapmanee, Pornpimol Muanjai","doi":"10.1007/s00421-026-06446-9","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study examined the effects of home-based high-volume static stretching on range of motion (ROM), musculotendinous unit (MTU) stiffness, muscle morphology, strength, balance, and physical function in older adults with hamstring tightness and possible sarcopenia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Sixty-eight community-dwelling older adults (67.2 ± 4.5 years) were randomly assigned to high-volume static stretching (30 min/day), low-volume static stretching (3 min/day, 3 days/week), eccentric exercise (ECC), or non-intervention control (CON) for 6 weeks. Assessments conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up included muscle thickness (MT), ROM, MTU stiffness, isometric knee flexor strength, cross-education effects on contralateral strength, Y-Balance performance, and function outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Significant group × time interaction effects were observed for ROM and isometric strength (p < 0.05). ROM increased after both stretching interventions (12.4° high-volume; 10.3° low-volume; d = 1.27-1.48), with no statistically detectable between-group difference. Isometric knee flexor strength improved after ECC (≈ 7.0 Nm; d = 1.53), with no contralateral strength transfer. No consistent intervention-related improvements were observed in MTU stiffness, muscle thickness, Y-Balance, or physical function. At the 3-month follow-up, knee flexor strength differed from baseline in the ECC group, although this was an uncontrolled follow-up observation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>No statistically detectable difference in ROM was identified between high- and low-volume stretching. Exploratory analyses indicated that ECC improved strength more than control, whereas stretching-related changes remained below the minimal detectable change. . Low-volume stretching required substantially less weekly exercise time than high-volume stretching; however, equivalence was not established. Stretching and eccentric exercise may therefore produce distinct flexibility and strength adaptations in older adults.</p><p><strong>Clinical registration: </strong>The study protocol has been registered with the Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR20251222012).</p>","PeriodicalId":12005,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Applied Physiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9000,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"European Journal of Applied Physiology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-026-06446-9","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"PHYSIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose: This study examined the effects of home-based high-volume static stretching on range of motion (ROM), musculotendinous unit (MTU) stiffness, muscle morphology, strength, balance, and physical function in older adults with hamstring tightness and possible sarcopenia.
Methods: Sixty-eight community-dwelling older adults (67.2 ± 4.5 years) were randomly assigned to high-volume static stretching (30 min/day), low-volume static stretching (3 min/day, 3 days/week), eccentric exercise (ECC), or non-intervention control (CON) for 6 weeks. Assessments conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up included muscle thickness (MT), ROM, MTU stiffness, isometric knee flexor strength, cross-education effects on contralateral strength, Y-Balance performance, and function outcomes.
Results: Significant group × time interaction effects were observed for ROM and isometric strength (p < 0.05). ROM increased after both stretching interventions (12.4° high-volume; 10.3° low-volume; d = 1.27-1.48), with no statistically detectable between-group difference. Isometric knee flexor strength improved after ECC (≈ 7.0 Nm; d = 1.53), with no contralateral strength transfer. No consistent intervention-related improvements were observed in MTU stiffness, muscle thickness, Y-Balance, or physical function. At the 3-month follow-up, knee flexor strength differed from baseline in the ECC group, although this was an uncontrolled follow-up observation.
Conclusions: No statistically detectable difference in ROM was identified between high- and low-volume stretching. Exploratory analyses indicated that ECC improved strength more than control, whereas stretching-related changes remained below the minimal detectable change. . Low-volume stretching required substantially less weekly exercise time than high-volume stretching; however, equivalence was not established. Stretching and eccentric exercise may therefore produce distinct flexibility and strength adaptations in older adults.
Clinical registration: The study protocol has been registered with the Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR20251222012).
期刊介绍：
The European Journal of Applied Physiology (EJAP) aims to promote mechanistic advances in human integrative and translational physiology. Physiology is viewed broadly, having overlapping context with related disciplines such as biomechanics, biochemistry, endocrinology, ergonomics, immunology, motor control, and nutrition. EJAP welcomes studies dealing with physical exercise, training and performance. Studies addressing physiological mechanisms are preferred over descriptive studies. Papers dealing with animal models or pathophysiological conditions are not excluded from consideration, but must be clearly relevant to human physiology.
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号
