Comparison of the Acute Effects of Hold-Relax and Static Stretching among Older Adults

Simple Summary It is well known that stretching interventions are effective in improving age-related changes in range of motion (ROM) and muscle stiffness. We investigated the effects of various stretching interventions, such as static stretching and hold-relax stretching, on ROM and muscle stiffness in older adults to establish the most effective stretching technique. Our results showed that static stretching and hold-relax stretching increased ROM, which could be contributed by not change in muscle stiffness, but stretch tolerance. Conversely, medial gastrocnemius muscle stiffness decreased only after a static stretching intervention and not after hold-relax stretching. Our results indicated that static stretching intervention improved ROM and muscle stiffness in older adults. Various stretching techniques are generally recommended to counteract age-related declines in range of motion (ROM) and/or increased muscle stiffness. However, to date, an effective stretching technique has not yet been established for older adults. Consequently, we compared the acute effects of hold relax stretching (HRS) and static stretching (SS) on dorsiflexion (DF) ROM and muscle stiffness among older adults. Overall, 15 elderly men and nine elderly women (70.2 +/- 3.9 years, 160.8 +/- 7.8 cm, 59.6 +/- 9.7 kg) were enrolled, and both legs were randomized to either HRS or SS stretching. We measured DF ROM and muscle stiffness using a dynamometer and ultrasonography before and after 120 s of HRS or SS interventions. Our multivariate analysis indicated no significant interaction effects, but a main effect for DF ROM. Post-hoc tests revealed that DF ROM was increased after both HRS and SS interventions. Moreover, multivariate analysis showed a significant interaction effect for muscle stiffness. Post-hoc tests revealed that muscle stiffness was decreased significantly after only SS intervention. Taken together, our results indicated that both HRS and SS interventions are recommended to increase ROM, and SS is recommended to decrease muscle stiffness in older adults.