Effects of active individual muscle stretching on muscle function
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Updated: May 1, 2026

Evaluation of Muscle Function of the Extensor Digitorum Longus Muscle Ex vivo and Tibialis Anterior Muscle In situ in Mice
Published on: February 9, 2013
Kouichi Nakamura1, Takayuki Kodama2, Yoshito Mukaino3
1Department of Physical Therapy, Fukuoka Wajiro Rehabilitation College, Japan ; Faculty of Sports and Health Science, Fukuoka University, Japan.
Abstract:
[Purpose] We investigated the effect of active individual muscle stretching (AID) on muscle function. [Subjects] We used the right legs of 40 healthy male students. [Methods] Subjects were divided into an AID group, which performed stretching, and a control group, which did not. We examined and compared muscle function before and after stretching in the AID and control groups using a goniometer and Cybex equipment. [Results] A significant increase in flexibility and a significant decrease in muscle strength output were observed in the AID group after the intervention. [Conclusion] These results suggest that AID induces an increase in flexibility and a temporary decrease in muscle output strength.
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