Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Health in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Technikon Natal, 2001. / The purpose of this study was to test the Effectiveness of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitative Stretching combined with administration of Diclofenac compared to Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitative Stretching and placebo medication for the treatment of Cervical Facet Syndrome in a clinical experimental setting. Neck pain is a common disorder, which can often be attributed to mechanical dysfunction of the cervical spine. The patient with facet syndrome may complain of sudden onset of unilateral neck pain, often with referred pain. Muscle spasm is usually present causing restricted movement. Pain increases with movement and is relieved by rest. The pain is aggravated by hyperextension and relieved by flexion and often follows a sclerotomal rather than a dermatomal pattern. Forty subjects with mechanical neck pain were screened for facet syndrome and randomly divided into two groups of twenty. Each patient received Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitative (PNF) stretching of the Posterior Cervical and Trapezius musculature. In conjunction with this, half the patients received Cataflam D while the other half received placebo medication. The patients were treated five times over a period of two weeks. Both groups were evaluated in terms of subjective and objective clinical findings by making use of questionnaires (Numerical Pain Rating Scale 101, Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire and the CMCC) and algometer and goniometer measurements respectively. The data was collected at the initial, middle and final treatments for each patient. / M

Title: The effect of stretching on maximal muscle performance Objectives: Due to the number of studies, concerning the effect of the muscle stretch on sport performance and their heterogeneity in the term of used parameters, tests and even performing the stretch exercises themselves, it would be desirable, thanks to the importance of this subject, to consolide and evaluate up-to-date knowledge. The goal of this diploma thesis is to compare and assess available literature concerning the effect of muscle stretch during warmup on the sport performance and, ideally, to define the best type of the stretching itself. Method: The diploma thesis is composed as a literature review - an integrative review with exactly defined criteria for the use of available studies. Result : Even with the nonuniformity of parameters used in available studies there is a consensus in most of the used sources, which met the criteria of inclusion in this research, which (the consensus) determinates the dynamic stretching as the form most appropriate for enhancing the following sport performance. Although studies, proving this result, are in their findings quite unanimous, a precise definition of prefered exercises for peforming the dynamic stretching and of its parameters is still missing. Key words: stretching, dynamic,...

A dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for a Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Technikon Natal, 1999. / The purpose of this study is to determine the relative effectiveness of (Contract-Relax- Agonist-Contract) CRAC stretching, a component of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular facilitated (PNF) stretching, as opposed to static stretching in the treatment of active myofascial trigger points of the shoulder girdle and neck muscles. This was a randomised clinical trial consisting of two groups. Group A received static stretching as their treatment protocol and Group B received PNF (CRAC) as their treatment protocol. Each group consisted of fifteen people between the ages of 18 and 55 who were randomly allocated to their respective groups. It is hypothesised that PNF (CRAC) stretching would be relatively more effective than Static stretching in the treatment of active myofascial trigger points of the shoulder girdle and neck muscles. Subjects diagnosed with active myofascial trigger points in the Trapezius, Infraspinatus and Rhomboid muscles were included in the study. The treatment regime consisted of a course of five treatments spread over a period of two weeks and then a one - month follow up consultation. Subjective and objective measurements were taken at the first, fifth and follow up consultations. Subjective data consisted of the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, the CMCC Neck Disability Index and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale -101. The objective data was collected by means of algometer and goniometer measurements. This data was used to perform statistical analysis using the non-parametric Wilcoxin signed-rank test and the Mann Whitney unpaired test to compare intra-group and intergroup data respectively, at a 95% confidence level. This study suggests that both static and PNF (CRAC) stretching are effective in the treatment of active myofascial trigger points. However there is no clinical statistical difference between these two treatments. Further studies with a larger sample size are needed to clearly evaluate the use of stretching in the treatment of active myofascial trigger points. / M

Introdução: os estudos sobre flexibilidade vêm tentando compreender quais propriedades explicam o aumento da amplitude de movimento (ADM), além do aumento de extensibilidade muscular. Propriedades mecânicas passivas de outros tipos de tecido, como o tendão, vêm sendo avaliadas, para entender a sua interferência no aumento da ADM. Desenho do estudo: o estudo foi do tipo ensaio clínico randomizado. Objetivos: analisar, minuto a minuto, o deslocamento da junção miotendínea (JMT) do músculo gastrocnêmio medial com o tendão do calcâneo e o torque passivo durante uma sessão de 10 minutos de alongamento estático passivo de flexores plantares, e analisar a mudança destas e de outras propriedades passivas mecânicas da unidade músculo-tendínea (UMT) do tríceps sural antes e após essa intervenção, verificando se estas mudanças perduram após 15, 30, 45 e 60 minutos após o protocolo de alongamento. Métodos: 30 participantes saudáveis foram divididos em grupo controle, o qual permaneceu em repouso, e experimental, o qual realizou uma sessão de 10 minutos de alongamento estático passivo no dinamômetro isocinético. Os participantes realizaram os testes de ADM, torque passivo, deslocamento da JMT e histerese antes e após a intervenção (0, 15, 30, 45 e 60 minutos). A partir dessas variáveis, foram calculadas as medidas de rigidez tendínea, muscular e da UMT. Resultados: Cinco participantes não permaneceram relaxados durante os testes e foram excluídos após análise dos dados eletromiográficos. 25 participantes foram incluídos na análise. Os resultados foram divididos em dois estudos diferentes. No primeiro estudo, apenas os 12 participantes do grupo experimental foram incluídos e, ao longo da intervenção, foi encontrada uma redução significativa do torque passivo, com a principal diferença ocorrendo nos minutos cinco e sete. No segundo estudo, foram comparados os indivíduos do grupo controle (n=13) e do grupo experimental (n=12), com um período de follow up de 60 minutos após a intervenção. A ADM aumentou e permaneceu aumentada até uma hora após a intervenção em ambos os grupos. As variáveis de deslocamento da JMT, rigidez muscular e histerese aumentaram em alguns momentos ao longo do tempo, sem diferença entre os grupos. A rigidez tendínea não apresentou diferença nem para grupo e nem para tempo. As variáveis de torque passivo e rigidez da UMT apresentaram uma interação significativa entre grupo e tempo, com uma redução das duas ao longo do tempo no grupo experimental. Conclusões: há uma redução de torque passivo ao longo de uma sessão de alongamento estático de 10 minutos dos flexores plantares de tornozelo, e fazer parte do grupo experimental influenciou no comportamento do torque passivo e da rigidez da UMT, levando a uma maior redução das mesmas para o grupo que realizou o alongamento. A ADM aumentou e permaneceu aumentada até uma hora após a intervenção. / Background: studies on flexibility have attempted to understand which properties explain increased range of motion (ROM), in addition to increased muscle extensibility. Mechanical and passive properties of other types of tissue, such tendon tissue, have been evaluated in order to understand their interference in increased ROM. Study Design: randomized clinical trial. Objectives: to analyze, minute by minute, myotendinous junction (MTJ) displacement of the medial gastrocnemius muscle with Achilles tendon and passive torque during a 10-minute passive static stretching of the ankle plantar flexors. To analyze, also, the time course change of these and other muscle-tendon unit (MTU) mechanical properties of the triceps surae before and after the intervention, verifying if the changes persist after 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes after the stretching protocol. Methods: 30 healthy participants were divided into a control group, which remained at rest, and an experimental group, which performed a 10-minute passive static stretching on the isokinetic dynamometer. Participants performed tests of ROM, passive torque, MTJ displacement and hysteresis before and after the intervention (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes). From these variables, the measures of tendinous, muscular and MTU stiffness were calculated. Results: Five participants did not remain relaxed during the test and were excluded after electromyographic data analysis. 25 participants were included in the analysis. Results were divided into two different studies. In the first one, only 12 participants of experimental group were included and during the intervention, a significant reduction of the passive torque was found, with the main difference occurring in minutes five and seven. In the second study, individuals from control group (n=13) and experimental group (n=12) were compared, with a 60 minute follow-up period after the intervention. ADM increased and remained increased up to one hour after the intervention. The variables of MTJ displacement, muscular stiffness and hysteresis increased at some moments over time, with no difference between the groups. The tendinous stiffness showed no difference neither for group nor for time. The variables of passive torque and MTU stiffness showed a significant interaction between group and time, with a reduction of the two over time in the experimental group. Conclusions: passive torque decreased throughout a 10-minute passive static stretching of the ankle plantar flexors, and being part of the experimental group influenced the behavior of the passive torque and the MTU stiffness, leading to a greater reduction of the same for the group who performed the stretching.

A movimentação escapular é de grande importância para o funcionamento adequado do ombro. Indivíduos com disfunção no ombro apresentam uma diminuição da rotação superior e da inclinação posterior e um aumento da rotação interna da escápula durante a elevação do braço. Vários fatores estão envolvidos na alteração da cinemática escapular. Um deles é o encurtamento do músculo peitoral menor, sendo que indivíduos com comprimento de repouso reduzido desse músculo apresentaram diminuição da inclinação posterior e aumento da rotação interna da escápula durante o movimento do braço. Tal alteração cinemática é similar à apresentada por sujeitos com disfunção do ombro e pode ser um fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de sintomas. Portanto, o objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a influência de um programa de alongamento da musculatura do aspecto anterior do ombro na cinemática escapular. O sistema eletromagnético de aquisição de dados foi utilizado para avaliar a cinemática escapular pré e pós um programa de alongamento da musculatura do aspecto anterior do ombro. Esse programa foi composto por três repetições de três exercícios de 30 segundos e teve duração de quatro semanas. O modelo linear de efeitos mistos foi utilizado para análise estatística das comparações entre as avaliações pré e pós-programa de alongamento. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre as avaliações antes e após a intervenção do estudo. Tal resultado sugere que o alongamento sozinho não é capaz de alterar a movimentação escapular, mas pode ser que contribua para o aumento da inclinação posterior se associado com outras intervenções. / The adequate scapular motion is very important to the shoulders function. Subjects with shoulder dysfunction present decreased scapular upward rotation and posterior tilt and increased scapular internal rotation during arm elevation. Many mechanisms are involved in scapular kinematics alteration. One of them is the pectoralis minor muscle shortening. Healthy subjects with relative short pectoralis minor resting length presented decreased upward rotation and increased internal rotation when compared with individuals with relative long resting length of this muscle. Hence, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of the anterior shoulder aspect musculature stretching on scapular kinematics. The electromagnetic tracking device was utilized for kinematics analysis before and after a stretching program of the anterior shoulder aspect musculature. This program was composed by three repetition of three 30 seconds exercises and lasted for four weeks. The linear mixed effects model was used for statistical analysis of the comparison between pre and post stretching program evaluations. There was not a statistically significant difference between the pre and post intervention evaluations, Such outcome suggest that stretching alone cannot alter the scapular motion, but may contribute to the increase in posterior tilt if associates with others interventions.

Purpose: To continue investigation of the use of vibration to enhance acute range of motion while assessing the influence of vibration and stretching on pressure-to-pain threshold perception. Methods: Ten young male gymnasts were assessed for split range of motion. One side split was randomly assigned as the experimental condition, and the other side split was assigned as the control. Both side splits were performed on a vibration device; the experimental condition had the device turned on and the control condition was performed with the device turned off. In addition, the athletes were assessed for pressure-to-pain transition using an algometer on the biceps femoris (stretched muscle) and vastus lateralis (nonstretched muscle) bilaterally. Results: Pre-post difference scores between the vibrated split (most improved) and the nonvibrated split were statistically different (P = .001, 95% confidence interval of the difference 2.3 to 5.8 cm). Following the stretching protocol, the force values for the pressure-to-pain threshold comparing the vibrated and nonvibrated biceps femoris muscle were not statistically different. The nonstretched vastus lateralis muscle also showed no statistical difference in pressure-to-pain threshold between the vibration and nonvibration conditions. Conclusion: This study showed that vibration improved split range of motion over stretching alone, but did not show a difference in pressure-to-pain perception in either the stretched or nonstretched muscles.

Introduction: The most popular method of stretching is static stretching. Vibration may provide a means of enhancing range of motion beyond that of static stretching alone. Purpose: This study sought to observe the effects of vibration on static stretching to determine whether vibration-aided static stretching could enhance range of motion acquisition more than static stretching alone in the forward split position. Methods: Ten highly trained male volunteer gymnasts were randomly assigned to experimental (N = 5) and control (N = 5) groups. The test was a forward split with the rear knee flexed to prevent pelvic misalignment. Height of the anterior iliac spine of the pelvis was measured at the lowest split position. Athletes stretched forward and rearward legs to the point of discomfort for 10 s followed by 5 s of rest, repeated four times on each leg and split position (4 min total). The experimental group stretched with the device turned on; the control group stretched with the device turned off. A pretest was followed by an acute phase posttest, then a second posttest measurement was performed following 4 wk of treatment. Difference scores were analyzed. Results: The acute phase showed dramatic increases in forward split flexibility for both legs (P < 0.05), whereas the long-term test showed a statistically significant increase in range of motion on the right rear leg split only (P < 0.05). Effect sizes indicated large effects in all cases. Conclusion: This study showed that vibration can be a promising means of increasing range of motion beyond that obtained with static stretching in highly trained male gymnasts.

Within Exercise Science, there are ongoing debates among health and fitness professionals over exercise related health questions. It can be difficult to discern myth from science when there are poorly designed research studies or limited evidence to unequivocally answer the question. Therefore, the purpose of this symposium is-to have a panel of experts provide research-based evidence related to three controversial topics often posed to exercise science professionals. First, within the weight loss community there is frequent debate over the role of exercising in the fat burning zone for weight loss. Dr. Ed Howley will address the questions: what is the fat burning zone, and what is its significance for those trying to lose fat? Secondly, there has been an interest in the concept of a runner's high and some early research linked this phenomenon to brain endorphins. Dr. Pat O'Connor will address the questions: is there a physiological basis for euphoria associated with exercise and what role do endorphins play in this phenomenon? Lastly, the health related benefits of cardiovascular and resistance training are well documented, but the importance of stretching for health and sports performance is less clear. Dr. Mike Stone will address the questions: does research support the role of stretching in enhanced health and athletic performance and are there situations in which stretching might be considered contraindicative?

My pieces are inspired by bubble wrap. I was inspired by a Japanese toy which you can squeeze it unlimited times to help people to release there pressures. As the same way, some people like to pop the bubbles from bubble wraps. I used this idea to make my jewelry projects to represent how people act while they suffer from stress and how they release pressure. Based on this idea, you can see the shapes or forms of my works have various possibilities, some of them are simple but others are complicated assemblies. People have various ways to handle stress. Wearing jewelry shows not only their personality but also their emotion. While they sometimes choose their jewelry pieces based on beauty they also choose them based on their emotions. I transformed two-dimensional flat sheets of bubble wrap into three-dimensional forms by stretching and folding them. I also experimented with various materials including plastic, resin, metal, and wood. Most of my works are brooches, rings, and necklaces.

The purpose of this study was to assess the acute effects of static stretching on foot velocity at impact with a soccer ball. Eighteen Division I female soccer athletes underwent two test conditions separated by 48 hr. Each condition was randomly assigned and began by placing four retro-reflective markers on bony landmarks of the ankle (total of eight markers, four on each ankle). One condition was the no-stretch condition, in which each participant performed a self-paced jog for 5 min as a warm-up, and then sat quietly for 6 min before performing three maximal instep kicks into a net. The second condition was the stretch condition, which was identical to the no-stretch condition, except the participants performed a series of six randomly ordered stretches instead of sitting quietly for 6 min. Three-dimensional motion analysis was used to quantify the resultant velocity of the head of the 5th metatarsal immediately prior to foot impact with a soccer ball. The results of a dependent t test indicated that there was no significant difference between the no-stretch (18.34 ± 1.29 m/s) and stretch conditions (17.96 ± 1.55 m/s; p = .102, d = .3) Based on these findings, acute stretching performed one time for 30 s before maximal instep soccer kicking has no effect on the resultant foot velocity of Division 1A university female soccer players. Pre-event stretching performed in a like manner may best be prescribed at the discretion of the athlete.