Chronic effects of muscle and nerve-directed stretching on tissue mechanics
Ricardo J. Andrade, Sandro R. Freitas, François Hug, Guillaume Le Sant, Lilian Lacourpaille, Raphaël Gross, Jean‐Baptiste Quillard, Peter J. McNair, Antoine Nordez
Abstract
This study demonstrates that the mechanical properties of plantar flexor muscles and sciatic nerve can adapt mechanically to long-term stretching programs. Although interventions targeting muscular or nonmuscular structures are both effective at increasing maximal range of motion, the changes in tissue mechanical properties (stiffness) are specific to the structure being preferentially stretched by each program. We provide the first in vivo evidence that stiffness of peripheral nerves adapts to long-term loading stimuli using appropriate nerve-directed stretching.
Topics & Concepts
Sciatic nerveStiffnessAnatomyBiomechanicsPeripheralMaterials scienceMedicineBiomedical engineeringInternal medicineComposite materialSports injuries and preventionMuscle activation and electromyography studiesTendon Structure and Treatment