Muscle stretching changes neuromuscular function involved in ankle stability

It has been postulated that the mechanical and neurophysiological effects induced by stretching decrease maximal muscle strength and power. Additionally, the reduction in neural input and muscle stiffness can affect the joint stabilization process. However, there is no evidence available to support this hypothesis. Thus, the aim of this study is to analyze the influence of static stretching on dynamic joint stability. Twenty physically active female university students (22.8 ± 5.3 years; 58 ± 8.8 kg; 1.62 ± 0.07 m) performed a series of static-passive stretching exercises for the peroneus longus and brevis muscles (four repetitions of 30 s). Before and after the stretches, electromyography was performed on both muscles during simulated ankle sprain. Mathematical algorithms calculate the latency and the electromyography activity (RMS). After stretching, the latency increased from 66ms to 73 ms (p = 0.003) for the peroneus brevis muscle and from 70 ms to 79 ms (p = 0.001) for the peroneus longus muscle. The RMS, calculated 100 ms after the simulation, decreased in the peroneus brevis muscle, from 25.05 to 18.16 (p = 0.001), and in the peroneus longus muscle, from 22.84 to 15.61 (p = 0.001). Muscle stretching changed the motor responses of both muscles. The increase in latency and the decrease in RMS indicate that static stretching influences the neuromuscular function involved in the joint stabilization process.