Science & Sports (2016) 31, e9e13

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Acute effects of static stretching or whole

body vibration on peak torque and peak
power of collegiate athletes
Comparaison des effets aigus dtirements statiques et de
vibration corps entier sur le couple force et la puissance
musculaire des membres infrieurs dans une population
dtudiants

A. Cengiz

Physical Education Department, Faculty of Education, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey

Received 26 September 2014; accepted 27 May 2015

Available online 14 November 2015

KEYWORDS Summary
Whole body vibration; Introduction. Several studies have reported that stretching before exercise or performance
Vibration; events in fact reduces isometric muscle strength; conversely, recent studies suggested that
Static stretching; low amplitude, low frequency mechanical stimulation of the human body is a harmless and
Power efcient way to train musculoskeletal structures. The aim of this study was to compare the
acute effects of static stretching and whole body vibration (WBV) on peak torque (PT) and
peak power of collegiate athletes, and to see if there will be any positive effect of whole body
vibration on possible decrease of peak power or torque after static stretching.
Subjects and methods. Twenty college athletes enrolled in tness class (age: 24.1 2.38
years; body mass: 69.48 11.40 kg; height: 174.15 0.8 cm) volunteered to participate in the
study. Peak torque and peak power data were obtained in a total of three days before and after
stretching and after WBV.
Results. Post-stretching and vibration values for both extension and exion position were
not signicantly higher than the baseline values even though there was signicant difference
between pre- stretching and post-stretching (P > 0.05). Peak torque values of the subjects were
decreased insignicantly after stretching compared to baseline measurements.
Conclusion. To conclude, these results may not be satisfactory to provide ultimate ndings
in solving the disagreement between the studies. In future studies, effects of static stretching

E-mail address: acengiz@students.ussa.edu

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scispo.2015.05.006
0765-1597/ 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
e10 A. Cengiz

and vibration on chosen physiological parameters should be investigated in different levels of

athletes with different arrangements of frequency, duration and volume of vibration application
combined with static stretching.
2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Rsum
MOTS CLS Introduction. Plusieurs tudes ont suggr que la ralisation dtirements avant lexercice
Vibration corps diminuait la force isomtrique des muscles. linverse, de rcentes tudes mettent en vidence
entier ; quune stimulation de type vibration corps entier basse frquence est un moyen efcace et
tirement statique ; sans risque pour entraner le systme musculaire. Le but de cette tude est de comparer les
Puissance musculaire effets aigus dtirements statiques et dune sollicitation de type vibration corps entier sur le
couple de force et la puissance musculaire des membres infrieurs chez des tudiants.
Mthodes. Vingt tudiants sportifs inscrits des cours de tness (ge : 24,1 2,38, masse
corporelle : 69,48 11,40 kg, taille : 174,15 0,8 cm) ont volontairement particip ltude.
Rsultats. Les rsultats obtenus aprs la vibration et ltirement statique ne montrent aucune
amlioration signicative de la performance musculaire. linverse, le couple de force a
diminu de facon signicative aprs ltirement.
Conclusion. En conclusion, ces rsultats ne permettent pas de conclure leffet de la vibration
et/ou des tirements sur la performance musculaire. Des tudes ultrieures sont ncessaires
pour examiner leffet de la vibration corps entier et des tirements statiques chez des sportifs
de diffrents niveaux.
2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits rservs.

1. Introduction between the actin and myosin myolaments produces some

Stretching is frequently performed before exercise and ath-
letic events [1,2]. Traditionally, it is assumed that escalating
joint range of motion (ROM) will support superior perfor-
mance [3] but some studies have reported that stretching
before exercise reduces isometric [4,5] and dynamic mus-
cle strength [6,7]. Consequently, this phenomenon has been
dened as the stretching-induced force decit [8]. Two main
hypotheses have been projected to enlighten the stretching-
induced force decit phenomenon [8,9]:
mechanical factors such as decreases in muscle stiffness
may affect the lengthtension relationship;
neural factors such as altered motor control strategies
and/or reex sensitivity.
It was also indicated that static stretching before vigor-
ous activities decreases force production [1012].
Another application intended to improve performance
is vibration training. Vibration training has been studied
widely for its hazardous effects on humans at particular
amplitudes and frequencies. Recent studies suggested that
low amplitude, low frequency mechanical stimulation of the
human body is a harmless and efcient way to train muscu-
loskeletal structures. Essentially, it increases the muscular
strength and power of individuals even if there are some
contradictory results concerning the effects of vibration
training on the muscular performance [1315]. A decrease
in muscle stiffness is a mechanical factor for stretching-
induced force decit that may affect the lengthtension
relationship. Within the skeletal muscles, each cross-bridge
stiffness [16]. Muscles can damp externally applied vibra-
tions and, in reality, extra vibration energy is absorbed
by activated muscle [17] rather than by muscles in rm-
ness signifying that the active cross-bridge cycling is a
vital part of the damping practice [18]. Not many studies
compared the acute effects of static and whole body vibra-
tion on muscle performance. Thus, the aim of this study
was to compare the acute effects of static stretching and
whole body vibration (WBV) on peak torque (PT) and peak
power of collegiate athletes. In order to address the con-
troversy of using SS (static stretching) in pre-competition
warm-up protocols, WBV is applied after static stretching
to observe if vibration might diminish the negative effects
of SS.
2. Methods
2.1. Subjects
Twenty college athletes enrolled in tness class (age
24.1 2.3 years; body mass 69.4 11.4 kg; height
174.1 0.8 cm) volunteered to participate in the study. The
subjects were healthy and indicated no existing or current
knee-, hip- or ankle-related injuries and no noticeable
limits in knee ROM (range of motion). The university
local ethic committee approved the study and a health
history questionnaire and signed informed consent forms
were completed by all subjects before testing. Aim and
procedures of the study were illustrated to each participant
and all procedures conformed to the Helsinki declaration
as revised in 2008.
Effects of whole body vibration on peak torque and peak power
Figure 1 Procedures ow chart.
2.2. Experimental design
Peak torque and peak power data were obtained in a total of
three days before and after stretching and after WBV. On the
rst day, anthropometric measurements were taken. On the
third day, players underwent isokinetic leg strength tests for
all conditions. On the fth day, players underwent anaer-
obic power test for all conditions. Isometric peak power
and Wingate measurements were completed on different
days to be able to prevent the training effect because for 30 seconds and then repeated for the other leg.
of potential mass testing and stretching loads. No rest was
given between stages to imitate the real competition envi-
ronments and to detect acute effects of applied vibration.
Each subject completed the measurements in a continued
manner (Fig. 1).
2.2.1. Anaerobic performance evaluation
A mechanically braked cycle ergometer (834 E, Monark,
Vansbro, Sweden) was used for the Wingate Anaerobic Test
(WAnT). WAnT was conducted according to the conventional
recommendations for consistency [19]. The test was admin-
istered for 30 seconds with resistance set at 7.5% of body
mass.
The WAnT session started with a regular warm-up of 5 min
of cycling at 50 rpm against no load, subsequent to which the
subjects rested for 5 min. The subjects were instructed to
pedal as fast as they could. Once the pedaling rate reached
about 160170 rpm the resistance was applied and subjects
continued pedaling as fast as possible for 30 s. The subjects
were verbally encouraged during the test.
2.3. Measurements of isokinetic leg strength
The subjects performed a 5-minute warm-up on a cycle
ergometer before the isokinetic test. Measurements were
taken using a Cybex 6000 (CYBEX Division of LUMEX, Inc.,
Ronkonkoma, New York) isokinetic dynamometer. The test
was performed in a seated position; stabilization straps
were secured across the trunk, waist, and distal femur of
the tested leg. The leg extensor and leg exor muscle of
dominant leg were concentrically measured 180 .s-1 (10 rep-
etitions). Verbal encouragement was given to the subjects
during the measurement. Subjects were permitted 5 tri-
als before starting the test. All data were collected from
the subjects dominant leg. All subjects reported right leg
e11
dominance. Immediately after the SS, the subjects were
repositioned for isokinetic measurement.
2.4. Static stretching
Static stretching exercises consisted of eight different
30-second stretching exercises totaling ve minutes.
Muscle-tendon systems were stretched to their limits with-
out injury. Once this point was reached, the stretch was held
2.4.1. Whole body vibration
Subjects performed ve minutes of WBV at 26 Hz and 10 mm
peak-to-peak amplitude. Vibration was applied by means of
vibration Power Plate (Power Plate Next Generation PRO 5,
2 1A, 2010). The acceleration rate was not quantied or
veried using accelerometers. Whole body vibration exer-
cise was performed in a static-squat position at 30 knee
exion. Even though a traditional routine pre-competition
warm-up may include static stretching as well as other
stretching protocols, this practice directly affects the real
competition performance. Thus, it was not given any rest
between the treatments to simulate the actual competi-
tion environment and to examine acute effects of applied
vibration.
So, there was no recuperation after the 5 min of whole
body vibration.
2.5. Statistical analyses
Results were analyzed using the SPSS version 22.0 (SPSS Inc.,
Chicago, USA). Shapiro and Wilks test was used to check the
normality. ANOVAs repeated measures testing were used to
compare the differences. Bonferroni pair-wise comparisons
were used for post-hoc analysis to nd out the differences
between the groups. Findings with a P < 0.05 were consid-
ered statistically signicant.
3. Results
The results of this study indicate that a single session of WBV
exposure has no potentiation effect on the stretch-induced
anaerobic power and peak torque performance in colle-
giate athletes.There were signicant differences pre-SS,
post-SS isokinetic knee extensor and exor peaktorque val-
ues (P>0.05) (Table1). (Table 1). No signicant differences
e12
Table 1 Variations amongst the parameters.
Parameter Pre-stretching
Extension peak torque (Nm) 98.6 37.1a
(180 s-1 )
Flexion peak torque (Nm) 55.4 24.6a
(180 s-1 )
Peak power (Wingate) 12.2 2.3
(W/kg)
Mean power (W/kg) 6.5 0.9
65.7 14.8
Fatigue index (%)
SS: static stretching; WBV: whole body vibration.
a Signicantly different than other conditions.
were found between the pre-SS, post-SS in isokinetic knee
extensor and exor peak torque values (P > 0.05) (Table 1).
Also, there were no signicant differences between pre-SS
and post-SS peak power values. No signicant differences
were found between the pre-SS and post-SS in anaerobic
power values (P > 0.05) (Table 1). Fatigue index of sub-
jects were increased insignicantly after the SS in anaerobic
power test. However, no signicant differences were found
between the pre-SS and post-SS in fatigue index values
(P > 0.05) (Table 1). Acute WBV did not affect anaerobic
power or isokinetic peak torque of knee extensors and
exors.
4. Discussion
WBV exercise has been recommended as a strategy for
athletes to advance their muscular performance prior to
training or competition. The aim of this study was to exam-
ine short-term performance effects of WBV. Whole body
vibration exercise performed in a static-squat position had
no effect isokinetic leg performance and anaerobic power in
collegiate athletes. Vibration application was not effective
in getting rid of negative effects of stretching even there
was slight increases in peak power and peak torque after
vibration treatment.
As it was expected, static stretching caused decrements
in peak torque for both extension and exion. These nd-
ings were in line with recent studies that have examined
the effects of SS on maximal isometric strength [4,8,20] and
concentric, isokinetic peak torque (PT) [21]. In the present
study, following the SS, direct vibration was applied and
vibration application did not produce any negative effect
on peak power. Herda [22] investigated the acute effects
of passive stretching vs. prolonged vibration on voluntary
peak torque, and surface EMG amplitudes of the medial
gastrocnemius and soleus muscles during isometric maximal
voluntary contractions of the plantar exors in 15 healthy
and moderately-trained men. He reported that there was
a negative effect of combined SS and vibration on peak
torque. According to De Ruiter et al. [23], when subjects
exercised on a vibrating plate for one minute (frequency
30 Hz, amplitude 8 mm) with two minutes of rest in between,
A. Cengiz
Post-stretching WBV
89.2 35.7 89.5 35.7
50.0 23.7 50.9 23.8
12.16 2.3 12.3 2.3
6.3 0.8 6.4 0.8
69.2 17.3 67.3 16.9
it resulted in an acute reduction of maximal voluntary
knee extension force. On the other hand, Torvinen et al.
[24] have shown acute increases in knee extension maxi-
mal strength and vertical jumping height after four minutes
of WBV once a comparatively large amplitude was applied
(4 mm) with a tilting plate as compared with no signicant
acute effects when low amplitude whole plate oscillation
(2 mm) was applied. Conicting results among the studies
were possibly because of different duration of SS treat-
ments and, different duration and frequency of vibration
applications.
The hypothesis in the current study was that peak power
performance would be affected by SS due to the poten-
tial inhibitory effect on the Golgi tendon organ. After the
execution of only SS and vibration combined with SS, there
was no signicant change observed in peak power perfor-
mance of the subjects. SS caused insignicant decrease in
peak power while it did not yield any further decrease in
peak power of the subjects. This is similar to the ndings of
other studies that found negative inuences of SS on power
[11] and strength [8,25]. The occurrence of vibration appli-
cation did not yield any further decrease in peak power of
the subjects. This may be attributed to the favorable mus-
cle and body core temperature, nervous system stimulation
[26], and improvement of motor excitability [27,28].
Even though the current study projected that vibration
applied subsequently after SS might have compensated for
the unfavorable effects of SS on peak torque and peak
power responses, neither SS nor vibration had an effect
on peak power and peak torque parameters of physically
active volunteers. These results may not be satisfactory
to clarify essential mechanisms of stretching-induced force
decit or the effects of vibration since the current study
ndings indicated that peak power was not affected by
acute SS or vibration applications. It was proposed that
the change in muscle length during vibration is detected
by muscle spindles, innervated by the Ia-afferents result-
ing in facilitation of homonymous alpha-motoneurons and
induces a non-voluntary muscular contraction [29]. Thus,
in the present study, it was expected that vibration of
the musculoskeletal system would lead to enhancement of
the stretch-reex loop and subsequently improve neuron
excitability and motor recruitment of the muscle. It was also
Effects of whole body vibration on peak torque and peak power
proposed that the enhanced motoneuron excitability would
facilitate the peak torque performance and the anaerobic
power performance immediately after (post) the WBV. How-
ever, the results did not conrm these projections. These
may be because of different duration of SS treatments and,
different duration and frequency of vibration applications;
therefore, different treatment durations and frequencies
may help to elucidate this phenomenon. Furthermore, a neg-
ative aspect of the current research is that the acceleration
rate was not quantied or veried using accelerometers.
This may be the major limitation of the study.
To conclude, the present study indicated that a sin-
gle session of WBV exposure has no potentiation effect on
anaerobic power and peak torque performance in colle-
giate athletes. In future studies, effects of SS and vibration
on chosen physiological parameters should be investigated
in different levels of athletes with different arrangements
of frequency, duration and volume of vibration application
combined with static stretching. It is likely that many studies
were not effective to show the positive effect of vibration
application since the applied vibrations did not stimulate the
target muscles at their resonant frequencies. Nevertheless,
it is vital to deem that a certain degree of muscle activation
is considered necessary from lower limb muscles to damp
the vibrations originated by vibrating plates.
Disclosure of interest
The author declares that he has no competing interest.
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