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Related Concept Videos

Exercise and Muscle Performance01:27

Exercise and Muscle Performance

Exercise induces a range of adaptations in muscle tissue, depending on the type and duration of activity. Such physical training can be broadly categorized into two types: endurance exercises and resistance exercises.
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Relaxation of Skeletal Muscles01:29

Relaxation of Skeletal Muscles

The period of muscle contraction primarily influences the duration of stimulation at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the presence of free calcium ions in the sarcoplasm, and the availability of energy or ATP to support contractions.
When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it depolarizes the membrane and opens voltage-gated sodium channels. Sodium ions enter the cell, further depolarizing the presynaptic membrane. This depolarization causes voltage-gated calcium channels to open.
Muscle Recovery and Fatigue01:24

Muscle Recovery and Fatigue

Muscle fatigue refers to the decline in a muscle's ability to maintain the force of contraction after prolonged activity. It primarily stems from changes within muscle fibers. Even before experiencing muscle fatigue, one may feel tired and have the urge to stop the activity. This response, known as central fatigue, occurs due to changes in the central nervous system, namely the brain and spinal cord. While there is no single mechanism that induces fatigue, it may serve as a protective response...
Muscle Stimulation Frequency01:22

Muscle Stimulation Frequency

The contraction strength of muscles is regulated by motor neurons, which modulate the frequency of action potentials dispatched to the motor units based on the body's requirements. This process of varying the muscle stimulation frequency allows muscles to contract with a force that is precisely tailored to the needs of the moment, whether lifting a feather or a heavy box.
Wave summation
At low firing rates, motor neurons induce individual twitch contractions in muscle fibers. These twitches...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Comparative Analysis of Lower Limb Kinematics between the Initial and Terminal Phase of 5km Treadmill Running
08:26

Comparative Analysis of Lower Limb Kinematics between the Initial and Terminal Phase of 5km Treadmill Running

Published on: July 17, 2020

Prolonged static stretching does not influence running economy despite changes in neuromuscular function.

Sarah J Allison1, David M Bailey, Jonathan P Folland

  • 1School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, UK.

Journal of Sports Sciences
|October 31, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Prolonged static stretching (SS) does not impact running economy in male runners. Despite significant changes in flexibility and strength, key running performance metrics remained unaffected by the stretching protocol.

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Area of Science:

  • Exercise Physiology
  • Sports Science
  • Biomechanics

Background:

  • Static stretching (SS) is commonly used by runners.
  • Its acute effects on running economy are not fully understood.
  • Previous research shows varied impacts on neuromuscular function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the acute effects of prolonged static stretching on running economy.
  • To determine if SS influences physiological responses during running.
  • To assess the relationship between SS-induced neuromuscular changes and running economy.

Main Methods:

  • Ten male runners performed 10-minute treadmill runs at 70% VO2peak.
  • Running economy was assessed before and after prolonged SS and a control condition.
  • Neuromuscular function (range of motion, strength, jump height) was measured post-stretching.

Main Results:

  • Prolonged static stretching did not significantly alter oxygen uptake, ventilation, energy expenditure, or heart rate during running.
  • Significant improvements in sit-and-reach range of motion were observed.
  • A significant decrease in isometric strength and countermovement jump height was noted.
  • Despite neuromuscular changes, running economy remained unaffected.

Conclusions:

  • Prolonged static stretching does not acutely impair running economy in trained male runners.
  • The observed changes in neuromuscular function do not translate to altered running economy.
  • Runners can incorporate prolonged static stretching without negatively impacting their running efficiency.