Introduction
The management of rest interval among series can influence the performance of subsequent activities.
Objective
To compare the effect of rest intervals during continuous and intermittent static stretching upon wrist flexor performance.
Methods
The sample comprised 14 young, healthy male adults, (age: 31±9 years, height: 178±0.7 cm, weight: 85±12kg). Evaluation was carried out of the passive range of motion (PROM) in wrist extension, the maximum isometric strength of wrist flexion associated with surface electromyography before and after two stretching protocols with different intervals among series. For each subject, one of the upper limbs was stretched with the continuous protocol (CON) and the other with the intermittent (INT) protocol, randomly. As regards CON, it consisted in stretching during six uninterrupted minutes, whereas INT consisted in stretching six series of 1 minute for 20 seconds of rest interval among series. The intensity was kept at 70-90% of the subjective perception of discomfort.
Results
The results of PROM showed significant increase between pre and post-intervention conditions, in both protocols INT (81°±10 and 94°±10, P<0.001) and CON (87°±12 and 96°±11, P=0.004). The results for peak force showed significant reduction in post-intervention conditions for both protocols: INT (205±54 Kgf and 148±56 Kgf, P<0.001) and CON (211±39 Kg and 144±36 Kgf, P<0.001). The results for the rate of force development showed significant increase in pre and post-intervention conditions for both protocols INT (0.52 ± 0.29 Kgf/ms and 1.24±0.45 Kgf/ms, P<0.001) and CON (0.43±0.29 Kgf/ms and 1.11±0.34 Kgf/ms, P<0.001).
Conclusion
Both protocols increased the passive range of motion, reduced the peak force and the rate of force development, without changes in the activation of wrist flexors.
exercise; resistance training; athletic performance
