INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT STRETCHING ON RANGE OF MOTION AND RUNNING ECONOMY IN LONG DISTANCE RUNNERS

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of autostretching and static stretching on range of motion (ROM) and running economy (RE) in long-distance runners. Twenty-two male distance runners were randomly assigned to an autostretching group (n = 8), a static stretching group (n = 7) and non-intervention control group (n = 7). The experimental protocol was composed of interventions between treadmill runnings for RE. The interventions were either autostretching or static stretching, after the first treadmill running. The oxygen consumption ((V) over dotO(2)) as RE was measured at three steady-state running speeds (240m/min, 268m/min, and 295m/min). Goniometric measurements of hip flexion and ankle dorsiflexion ROM were taken immediately before and after each treadmill running for RE. The results showed that the autostoretching group had a significant decrease in (V) over dotO(2) at 240m/min (p < 0.05), and at 268m/min (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the control group had a significant increase in (V) over dotO(2) only at 295m/min (p < 0.05). At the same time. the autostretching group had significant improvements in ROM for hip flexion (p < 0.05) and ankle dorsiflexion (p < 0.05). The static stretching group had no significant changes in RE or ROM. The results of this experiment suggest that autostretching had a positive effect in improving RE in subjects of this study, and indicate the possibility that improved RE leads to the improvement of long-distance runners' performance. (Jpn. J. Phys. Fitness Sports Med. 2009, 58 : 395 similar to 404)