Acute effects of different methods of antagonist muscles stretching on total agonist training volume

Abstract

Introduction: some contemporary studies elucidate that stretching exercises, when applied to antagonist muscles, can promote improvements in the muscle performance of agonist muscles. Purpose: to investigate the acute effects of different methods of stretching antagonist muscles on the total training volume (VTT) in the leg extension exercise. Materials and methods: The sample consisted of 12 women (28.6 ± 4.66 years of age; 164 ± 0.05 cm of height; 59.2 ± 6.50 kg of body mass) recreationally trained. Entry into the experimental protocols was randomized and performed on four different days; 1) traditional protocol (GTRAD) - without prior stretching and execution of the extensor chair; 2) static stretching protocol and subsequent execution of the extensor chair (GAE); 3) dynamic stretching protocol and subsequent execution of the extensor chair (GAD); 4) FNP stretching protocol and subsequent execution of the extensor chair (GFNP). Results: significant differences were observed between the experimental groups in the VTT (p=0.027), however, when the significance was adjusted by Bonferroni correction, this difference was diluted (p>0.05). Conclusion: it is suggested that trainers and physical conditioning professionals use stretching exercises, as an integral part of a TF session, in order to train strength and flexibility in the same training session, without harmful effects on VTT.