Static Stretch Performed After Strength Training Session Induces Hypotensive Response in Trained Men.

Sousa, AC, Gomes, TM, Sousa, MS, Saraiva, AR, Araujo, GS, Figueiredo, T, and Novaes, JS. Static stretch performed after strength training session induces hypotensive response in trained men. J Strength Cond Res 33(11): 2981-2990, 2019-The purpose of this study was to compare the acute effect of 3 different combinations between passive static stretching exercises (SE) with resistance training (RT) on blood pressure (BP) response in normotensive trained men. Twenty-six volunteer subjects (age: 26.1 ± 5.4 years; body mass: 86.5 ± 10.5 kg; height: 1.78 ± 0.6 cm) participated in this study. After assessing 10 repetition maximum loads for the bench press, lat pulldown, shoulder press, leg press, leg extension, and leg curl, the subjects were randomly assigned on 3 experimental conditions: (a) static SE were performed before the RT session (SE + RT); (b) static SE were performed after the RT session (RT + SE); and (c) static SE were performed between the RT session (RTSE). The BP was measured for 60 minutes after the RT session. The 2-way analysis of variance for repeated measures showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the experimental conditions. In within comparisons, only the RT + SE experimental condition did not cause significant increases (p = 0.07) on systolic blood pressure (SBP) when compared the baseline and post-test moments (132.2 ± 10.7 vs. 141.3 ± 18.1 mm Hg). In addition, hypotensive effects were found in SBP only in the RT + SE experimental condition when compared SBP baseline (132.2 ± 10.7 mm Hg) vs. SBP30 minutes (121.7 ± 11.8 mm Hg; p = 0.04), SBP45 minutes (120.6 ± 9.8 mm Hg; p = 0.03), and SBP60 minutes (120.0 ± 7.9 mm Hg; p = 0.00). These findings suggest that performing static SE after the RT session provide an ideal combination for a postexercise hypotensive response from 30 minutes after exercise (and this change was enhanced up to 60 minutes). In conclusion, strength and conditioning professionals can prescribe static SE after RT if the goal is to reduce blood pressure after training.

Chronic effects of different resistance training exercise orders on flexibility in elite judo athletes.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of twelve weeks of resistance training with different exercise orders (upper limbs and lower limbs vs. lower limbs and upper limbs) on flexibility levels in elite judo athletes. Thirty-nine male athletes were randomly divided into 3 groups as follows: G1 (n = 13), G2 (n = 13), and CG (n = 13). The flexibility was assessed on 8 joint movements: shoulder flexion and shoulder extension, shoulder abduction and shoulder adduction, trunk flexion and trunk extension, and hip flexion and hip extension. Two-way repeated measures ANOVAs (time [pre-experimental vs. post-experimental] × group [G1 vs. G2 vs. CG]) were used to compare the differences between pre- and post-test situations and the differences among groups. The results from the within-group (pre vs. post) comparisons demonstrated significant increases (p < 0.05) in the range of motion of 3.93 and 5.96% for G1 and G2 training groups, respectively, in all joints. No significant changes (p > 0.05) were observed for the CG. The results from the between-group comparisons demonstrated no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the range of motion between G1post vs. G2post (1.15%). Although both exercise orders (from upper to lower limbs and from lower to upper limbs) increased flexibility, no significant variations were observed between the different exercise orders. Nevertheless, these findings demonstrate that flexibility gains could be obtained with a resistance training program, and thus, more time can be devoted to sports-specific judo training.