Mechanisms Underlying Range of Motion Improvements Following Acute and Chronic Static Stretching: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis and Multivariate Meta-regression

作者：Lewis Anthony Ingram, Grant R. Tomkinson, Noah M. A. d’Unienville, Bethany Gower, Sam Gleadhill, Terry J. Boyle, Hunter Bennett · 发表于：Sports Medicine · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1007/s40279-025-02204-7 · 被引用次数：20 · 研究领域：Sports injuries and prevention、Knee injuries and reconstruction techniques、Lower Extremity Biomechanics and Pathologies

BACKGROUND: Static stretching (SS) is routinely used in sports and clinical settings to increase joint range of motion (ROM). However, the mechanisms underlying improvements in ROM remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the effects of a single session (acute) and multiple sessions (chronic) of SS on stretch tolerance, passive stiffness and fascicle length, and whether such effects are moderated by specific training parameters and participant characteristics. A secondary aim was to explore the mechanisms associated with improved ROM. METHODS: Seven databases (CINAHL Complete, Cochrane CENTRAL, Embase, Emcare, MEDLINE, Scopus and SPORTDiscus) were systematically searched up to 6 June, 2024. Randomised and non-randomised controlled trials investigating the effects of acute (single session) or chronic (two or more sessions) SS on muscle-tendon unit structure (fascicle length), mechanical properties (stiffness) or stretch tolerance (maximum tolerable passive resistive torque) compared to non-stretching passive controls (adults aged ≥ 18 years) were included. The effects of SS were examined using a multi-level meta-analysis, with associations between changes in maximum tolerable passive resistive torque, stiffness and fascicle length with improvements in ROM examined using multivariate meta-regression. RESULTS: Data from 65 studies representing 1542 adults (71% male; mean ± standard deviation age = 26.1 ± 11 years) were included. We found a small decrease in overall stiff...