Changes in range of motion and muscle strength of the ankle joint after static and dynamic Stretching

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of static stretching (SS) and dynamic stretching (DS) on temporal range of motion (ROM) and muscle strength and investigate better ways of stretching before some sporting activities. Subjects: The Subjects were 18 healthy Japanese women. Method: Subjects performed SS and DS of their triceps surae muscles. We measured ROM of ankle dorsiflexion and muscle strength of ankle plantar flexion of subjects before stretching, just after stretching, and 5 minutes and 10 minutes later. Results: ROM of subjects who did SS increased just after stretching and this was maintained for 10 minutes. On the other hand, ROM of DS increased gradually and reached that of SS. Subjects who performed DS showed significantly greater ankle plantar flexion strength than subjects who did SS from just after the stretching to 10 minutes later. Conclusion: These findings indicate that DS 10 minutes before performing some sporting activities in which peak muscle strength is necessary would enhance performance.