OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of stretching and resistive exercise on the soleus muscle in rats. METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar rats (380±50g) were evaluated, divided into four groups (n=6): C, intact controls; S, left soleus muscle stretched for 40 minutes twice a week; RE, resistive exercise consisting of four series of ten jumps three times a week; and RE+S, resistive exercise plus stretching. After eight weeks, the animals were sacrificed and their soleus muscles were evaluated regarding muscle weight, muscle fiber cross-sectional area (MFCSA), muscle length, number of sarcomeres in series, sarcomere length and percentage of connective tissue. The statistical analysis consisted of comparisons between the groups using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) post-hoc Tukey tests, with a significance level set at <0.05. RESULTS: The MFCSA in RE and S were greater than in C. Muscle length and the number of sarcomeres in series in RE+S were less than in S and RE. The number of sarcomeres in series in S was greater than in C. No changes were found in sarcomere length or percentage of connective tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Resistive exercise associated with stretching caused a decrease in muscle length and in the number of sarcomeres in series, probably due to the daily frequency of exercises. Stretching alone, performed twice a week, or resistive exercise performed three times a week, was sufficient to induce muscle hypertrophy.
muscle stretching exercises; exercise; musculoskeletal system; rats
