Effects of Static and Dynamic Stretching on Muscle Architecture

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the acute and chronic effects of static and dynamic stretching on muscle architecture of the peronealis longus and tibialis anterior muscles.Materials and Methods: All 34 participants who volunteered for this study were randomly divided into static (n=12), dynamic (n=11) and control (n=11) groups.The subjects in the stretching group performed stretching exercises for the ankle evertor and dorsiflexor muscles 5 days a week for 6 weeks.Morphological structures of peroneal and tibial muscles were evaluated at the beginning (2 times for acute effect) and the end of this period.Muscle architecture (pennation angle, fascicle length and muscle thickness) was evaluated by ultrasonographic measurements.Results: Either in terms of acute or chronic effects, no significant differences were found following static and dynamic stretching exercises for peroneal and tibial muscle morphology parameters (p>0.05).Conclusion: It is possible to state that static and dynamic stretching exercises with a total duration of 240 seconds have no positive or negative effects on muscle architecture of the peroneus longus and tibialis anterior muscles in means of acute and long-term applications.