Efecto del estiramiento activo de 30 segundos sobre la fuerza de prensión manual en adultos jóvenes.

Abstract

Grip strength is an important indicator of good health, muscular endurance, dexterity and overall strength. Stretching significantly decreases the force-producing capabilities of muscles. This study aimed to determine the effect of active stretching on manual grip strength in young adults. As methodology, a randomized, crossover, parallel two-arm, double-blind clinical trial was performed in 80 young adult volunteers aged 20 to 37 years. Weight, height and body mass index were measured. Subjects were randomly assigned to two intervention sequences. Each group performed one of the two interventions and after a 24-hour washout period, the next intervention was performed. This washout period was established taking into account that it should be long enough for the effects of the first intervention to have disappeared. Manual prehensile strength was measured by means of dynamometry, using the Camry electronic manual dynamometer as an instrument. Differences were found between the post-stretching moment vs no stretching in the sample in general (Diff -1.66 CI95% -2.66 to -0.67), however, when stratified analysis was performed, differences were found in men (Diff -3.04 CI95% -4.75 to -1.32), but not in women (Diff -0.29 CI95% -1.21 to 0.63). There was an immediate decrease in muscle strength after stretching the flexor muscles of the hand and an increase in muscle strength after 10 minutes of rest following stretching.