Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/70065
FOR A MORE DETAILED LOOK AT AARON MATTES' ACTIVE ISOLATED STRETCHING, READ BEN BENJAMIN'S ESSENTIAL SKILLS COLUMNS IN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009, PAGE 100, AND JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010, PAGE 88, AVAILABLE IN THE DIGITAL EDITION OF MASSAGE & BODYWORK ON ABMP.COM. combination with dynamic stretching prior to competition are cautionary, emphasizing the need for sufficient rest following warm-up.22 For now, it may be best to treat resistive techniques similarly to static stretching. OTHER IMPLICATIONS Let's shift the focus away from athletes to look at what the research tells us about people with health conditions— particularly conditions that affect quality of movement—and see where there are benefits with stretching: • In a study comparing older adults with and without osteoarthritis, both populations were able to demonstrate beneficial adaptations to a static stretching intervention.23 • Trigger point therapy, in conjunction with PNF stretching, has been shown to increase ROM and reduce pain in males with tight hamstrings and latent trigger points.24 • Active stretching, passive stretching, and PNF were all found to increase ROM in knee flexion of patients after total knee replacement.25 • Active-assisted stretching improved functional performance, mobility, power, and ROM in elderly persons with insufficient physical reserves to perform higher-intensity exercise.26 • Stretching, along with muscular resistance, breathing, and relaxation exercises, improved ROM and reduced the impact of the illness in women with fibromyalgia.27 APPLICABILITY I find it difficult to think of a client who couldn't benefit from enhanced ROM. When incorporating stretching into our practices, keep in mind the population and the intent: if full use of power, speed, and torque is required shortly after the session, avoid the use of static stretching, tendon-focused massage, and resistive stretching techniques. If rehabilitation, quality of life, and an overall sense of wellness are the priority, apply massage and stretching techniques that safely elongate the targeted muscles. And remember, when consuming research, do not draw broad conclusions from one study. It is important to read the body of evidence and critique its protocol, power, and application to your clientele. 1984, Diana Thompson has created a varied and interesting career out of massage: from specializing in pre- and postsurgical lymph drainage to teaching, writing, consulting, and volunteering. Her consulting includes assisting insurance carriers on integrating massage into insurance plans and educating researchers on massage therapy theory and practice to ensure research projects and protocols are designed to match how we practice. Contact her at soapsage@comcast.net. A licensed massage practitioner since NOTES 1. J. R. Fowles et al., "Reduced Strength After Passive Stretch of Human Plantar Flexors," Journal of Applied Physiology 89 (2000): 1179–88. 2. Thera-Band Research Advisory Committee, accessed September 2010, 3. C. H. Chen et al., "Effects of Flexibility Training On Eccentric Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage," Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (August 2, 2010). 4. Ibid. 5. D. G. Behm et al., "Factors Affecting Force Loss With Prolonged Stretching," Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology 26, no. 3 (2001): 262–72. 6. K. Power et al., "An Acute Bout of Static Stretching: Effects on Force and Jumping Performance," Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (March 2004): 1389–96. 7. Behm, "Prolonged Stretching," 262–72. 8. I. M. Fletcher, "The Effect of Different Dynamic Stretch Velocities on Jump Performance," European Journal of Applied Physiology 109, no. 3 (June 2010): 491–8. 9. I. M. Fletcher et al, "An Investigation Into the Possible Physiological Mechanisms Associated with Changes in Performance Related to Acute Responses to Different Preactivity Stretch Modalities," Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology 35, no. 1 (February 2010): 27–34. 10. K. K. McCully, "The Influence of Passive Stretch on Muscle Oxygen Saturation" Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 662 (2010): 317–22. 11. I. M. Fletcher, "Preactivity Stretch Modalities," 27–34. 12. F. A. Samogin Lopez et al., "Is Acute Static Stretching Able to Reduce the Time to Exhaustion at Power Output Corresponding to Maximal Oxygen Uptake?" The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 24, no. 6 (June 2010): 1650–6. 13. T. K. Evetovich et al., "Interpreting Normalized and Nonnormalized Data after Acute Static Stretching in Athletes and Nonathletes," The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 24, no. 8 (August 2010): 1988–94. 14. C. Ayan et al., "Health Education Home-Based Program in Females With Fibromyalgia: A Pilot Study," Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation 22, no. 2 (2009): 99–105; A. Hakkinen et al., "Muscle Strength and Range of Movement Deficits One Year After Hip Resurfacing Surgery Using Posterior Approach," Disability & Rehabilitation 32, no. 6 (2010): 483–91. 15. Behm, "Prolonged Stretching," 262-72. 16. Ibid. 17. Ibid. 18. S. Y. Huang et al., "Short-Duration Massage at the Hamstrings Musculotendinous Junction Induces Greater Range of Motion," The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 24, no. 7 (July 2010): 1917–24. 19. From Aaron Mattes website, accessed September 2010, www.stretchingusa.com/aboutAIS.cfm. 20. B. Yuktasir et al., "Investigation Into the Long- Term Effects of Static and PNF Stretching Exercises on Range of Motion and Jump Performance," Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 13, no. 1 (January 2009): 11–21. 21. T. M. Gomes et al., "Acute Effects of Two Different Stretching Methods on Local Muscular Endurance Performance," The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research (July 17, 2010). 22. Z. D. Molacek et al., "Effects of Low- and High- Volume Stretching on Bench Press Performance in Collegiate Football Players," The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 24, no. 3 (March 2010): 711–6. 23. D. A. Reid et al., "Effects of An Acute Hamstring Stretch in People With and Without Osteoarthritis of the Knee," Physiotherapy 96, no. 1 (March 2010): 14–21. 24. A. Trampas et al., "Clinical Massage and Modified Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching in Males with Latent Myofascial Trigger Points," Physical Therapy in Sport 11, no. 3 (August 2010): 91–98. 25. T. P. Chow et al., "Active, Passive and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching are Comparable in Improving the Knee Flexion Range in People with Total Knee Replacement: A Randomized Controlled Trial," Clinical Rehabilitation (August 4, 2010). 26. D. C. Stanziano et al., "The Effects of an Active- assisted Stretching Program on Functional Performance in Elderly Persons: A pilot study," Journal of Clinical Interventions in Aging 4 (2009): 115–20. 27. Evetovich, "Normalized and Nonnormalized Data," 1988–94. connect with your colleagues on massageprofessionals.com 121