ACUTE EFFECT OF STATIC STRETCHING VOLUME ON NEUROMUSCULAR PERFORMANCE OF YOUNG AND ELDERLY WOMEN

Introduction: Previous static stretching (SS) exercises may promote a transient decrease in muscle strength. The characteristics of SS protocols and sample may interfere with neuromuscular performance subsequent to stretching routines. Objective: To investigate the acute effect of two different SS volumes on neuromuscular system of young and elderly women during horizontal leg press. Methods: Twenty-four women (12 young and 12 elderly), apparently healthy, attended the laboratory on six different occasions. In the first three visits, collection of personal data, anthropometric, familiarization to SS protocol and recording of maximal isometric force-time curve in horizontal leg press were performed. In the last three visits, the isometric force-time curve and electromyographic (EMG) activity of the vastus medialis and vastus lateralis muscles were performed after one of three experimental conditions: control (without stretching), stretching with a total volume of 60 and 120 seconds. The order of the experimental conditions was randomized. The SS protocol involved three exercises performed in two 30-second series (SS60) or in four 30-second series (SS120). The two-way ANOVA test was used for data analysis. Results: None of the SS routines resulted in changes in the rate of force development (RFD), maximal voluntary contraction, and EMG activity of young and elderly women. Conclusion: Different volumes of SS, in accordance with current recommendations, did not influence the neuromuscular performance of young and elderly women in the horizontal leg press exercise.