Comparison of the flexibility of university students before and after the application of isometric contractions for different functional lines.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37951/2674-9181.2024v6i1.6847Keywords:
Alongamento; Flexibilidade; Contrações Isométricas; Linhas funcionaisAbstract
Objective: To investigate the acute effects of an adapted Muscle Energy Technique protocol on flexibility in university students, considering different functional lines and shoulder mobility. Methods: This study included 32 university students of both sexes, all aged between 19 and 28 years and regularly engaged in resistance training for at least six months. Participants were allocated into an experimental group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 12). Flexibility was assessed before and after the intervention using the bilateral sit-and-reach test, unilateral sit-and-reach test for the right and left lower limbs, trunk extension test, and right and left shoulder mobility tests. The experimental group performed an acute adapted MET protocol consisting of voluntary isometric contractions directed toward different functional lines, repeated over approximately 10 minutes. The control group remained at rest for the same duration. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Shapiro–Wilk normality test, Wilcoxon test for within-group comparisons, and Mann–Whitney U test for between-group comparisons, adopting a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Results: At baseline, no significant differences were observed between groups for most anthropometric characteristics and flexibility tests, except for right shoulder mobility. After the intervention, the experimental group showed significant improvements in all flexibility outcomes. The bilateral sit-and-reach test increased from 22.03 ± 8.78 cm to 28.15 ± 8.14 cm, corresponding to a mean gain of 6.13 cm (p = 0.01). Improvements were also observed in the unilateral sit-and-reach test for the right limb (+4.60 cm; p = 0.01) and left limb (+2.73 cm; p = 0.01), as well as in trunk extension (+3.40 cm; p = 0.01). Shoulder mobility also improved bilaterally, as indicated by reduced distances between the hands in the right shoulder mobility test (-4.55 cm; p = 0.01) and left shoulder mobility test (-4.45 cm; p = 0.01). The control group did not show significant changes in any measured variable. In addition, training experience did not significantly influence the magnitude of flexibility gains. Conclusion: An acute adapted MET protocol based on voluntary isometric contractions improved flexibility across different functional lines and enhanced shoulder mobility in university students engaged in resistance training. These findings suggest that this strategy may be a practical and time-efficient option to acutely improve flexibility before exercise sessions or activities requiring greater range of motion.
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