Efeito agudo do alongamento estático no desempenho neuromuscular de idosas : comparação entre membros
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to analyze the acute effects of static stretching
on isometric peak torque (PT), electromyographic (EMG), maximum range of
motion (ROM), peak passive torque and maximum angle passive torque of
elderly, in upper and lower limbs. The sample consisted of 15 women (67.0 ± 4.0
years old; 70.0 ± 12.0 kg, 1.56 ± 0.0 m; 28.6 ± 5.0 kg / m2). Isometric PT and
EMG activity of the biceps brachii (BB) and biceps femoris (BF) were tested in
two exercises (elbow flexion or knee flexion), after two separate conditions:
stretching (S) (3 sets of 30 seconds) and control (C). Maximum ROM, peak
passive peak torque and maximum angle passive torque were evaluated using
an isokinetic dynamometer after the conditions S or C. Each day, only one
condition and a type of exercise were tested and order employment for each
condition and exercise were determined randomly. Three post-conditions were
made to observe the behavior of force, muscle activity and ROM. The two-way
ANOVA showed significant exercise interaction vs. condition (p = 0.01) to
isometric PT, and the stretching caused significant decreases in isometric PT
values for the knee flexors (8%) and no change was observed in the elbow flexors
isometric PT values. There was no significant exercise interaction vs. condition
(p = 0:14) to EMG for the BB and BF muscles. In addition, the paired t-test
showed that the stretching protocol caused significant increase in the maximum
ROM (p = 0.01), but the peak torque and maximum angle passive torque
remained unchanged. In conclusion, acute series of static stretching may affect
the ability of the knee flexors to produce maximum muscle strength, but do not
affect the performance of the elbow flexors. Further, three series of 30-second
static stretching increases the knee flexors maximum ROM, but do not alter the
peak torque and maximum angle passive torque of elderly women.