Altas intensidades de alongamento aumentam a ADM sem alterar o desempenho funcional de atletas amadores de futebol

Abstract

Introduction: Intensity is a "qualitative" variable of a muscle stretching protocol, which is very little studied, due to it be an inherent characteristicto the individual being stretched. However it was pointed out as an important factor for the gain of Range of Motion (ROM). Objectives: To verify the effects of different intensities of static passive stretching (SPS) on ROM, passive torque and functional performance in amateur soccer players. Methods: This is a randomized, blinded clinical trial of male soccer players subjects, randomly divided into 4 groups: Control Group (CG), Comfort Zone Stretching Group (CSG), Group Stretching in the Discomfort Zone (DISG) and Stretching Group in the Pain Zone (PAING). The subjects were submitted to measures of knee extension ROM and flexion of the non-dominant lower limb, passively and actively (EAJ, EPJ, FAQ and FPQ), peak of passive torque (PT), peak angulation of PT (ANG PT), viscoelastic relaxation stress (VRS) and functional run (shuttle run test), performed before and immediately after the first and 48h after the last session, also the pain sensation measurements (VAS) at the end of each session. TheSPS protocol consisted of 10 sessions, divided into 3 weekly sessions, with 3 maneuvers of 30 s, with different intensities (Tolerable Maximum Pain, Maximum No Pain Discomfort, and Feeling of Stretching Without Discomfort) established from a visual scale PERFLEX. The CG performed only the evaluative measures. Results: PAING and DISG presented increase in ROM in the AJP variables (+ 8.17 ± 1.8, + 7.1 ± 2.7%, p <0.001), EPJ (+ 8.6 ± 2.1; (+10.3 ± 3.2, +10.8 ± 5.8%, p <0.001 and p = 0.031) and FPQ (+ 11.7 ± (P <0.0001) at 48 h after the 10th session in relation to the CSG and CG, but did not present differences between them. There were no differences in the variables of PT, ROM PT, VRS and shuttle run test in any of the evaluated moments (p> 0.05). Conclusion: Stretching in the pain zone and in the discomfortzone improve ROM without negatively interfering with the functional performance of soccer amateur athletes. Improvements in ROM may be related to increased stretching tolerance instead changes in PT. Therefore, there is no need to use pain intensity to promote a significant ROM gain.