High intensities of stretch increase ROM without altering the functional performance of amateur soccer players.
Muscle stretching, stretching sensation, passive torque, functional performance, soccer athletes.
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: 41 male subjects, soccer players, randomly divided into 4 groups: Control Group (CG), Comfort Zone Stretching Group (GAC), Discomfort Group (GDES) and Pain Group (GDOR). Ten sessions were performed, divided in 3 weekly sessions, with 3 maneuvers of 30 s, with different intensities established from PERFLEX. ADM evaluations of knee extension andhip flexion of non-dominant lower limbs, passive and active (KAE, KPE, HAF and HPF), passive peak torque (PT), PT peak ROM (ROM TP), viscoelastic relaxation stress (SRV) and shuttle run test, performed before and immediately after the first session, and 48h after the last session. Results: GDOR and GDES presented increases in KAE variables (+ 8.17 ± 1.8, + 7.1 ± 2.7%, p <0.001), KPE (+ 8.6 ± 2.1, +6, (P <0.001, p <0.001), HAF (+10.3 ± 3.2, +10.8 ± 5.8%, p <0.001 and p = 0.031) and HPF (+ 11.7 ± 3, 6, + 8.9 ± 6.4%, p <0.0001) at the 48th hour after the 10th session, however, did not present any differences between them. There were no differences in the variables of TP, ROM TP, SRV and shuttle run test in any of the evaluated moments. Conclusions: Pain and discomfort improve ROM without negatively interfering with the functional performance of soccer amateur athletes. Improvements in ROM may be related to increased elongation tolerance rather than changes in PT.