Effect of static and dynamic stretching on H wave and muscle blood flow in the sole

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect on α motoneuron excitability and muscle blood flow, of static stretching (SS) and dynamic stretching (DS). [Subjects] The subjects were 20 healthy adults. [Methods] The subjects were divided into SS and DS groups. We measured ROM of ankle dorsiflexion, H wave amplitude, M wave amplitude, and soleus blood flow of subjects before stretching (Pre), just after stretching (Post1), and 5 minutes (Post2) and 10 minutes after stretching (Post3). [Results] Both SS and DS showed increases in ROM of ankle dorsiflexion. The H wave amplitude of SS tended to decrease. On the other hand, the H wave amplitude of DS significantly increased from Post1 to Post2 and Post3. Neither SS nor DS showed changes in soleus blood flow. [Conclusion] These findings suggest that the difference in temporal H wave amplitude of SS and DS is due to a different inhibition mechanism.