Study aim: To assess the effects of static passive maximal stretching on muscle performance in order to clarify the existing controversies. Material and methods: Two randomly selected groups of the Brazilian Air Force personnel were studied: experimental (n = 15), subjected to 3 bouts of static passive stretching exercises of wrist flexors and extensors (beyond a mild discomfort). Every bout lasted 10 s and was followed by a 30-s rest. The control group (n = 15) performed no exercises. Muscle strength was measured with a handgrip dynamometer before and 20 min after the test. Results: Subjects from the experimental group had the pre-exercise handgrip strength significantly higher than postexercise (by about 7%; p<0.01). No significant decrease was noted in the control group. Conclusions: Static passive stretching induces decreases in muscle strength.

Flexibility: components, proprioceptive mechanisms and methods A literature review on physical flexibility was presented and discussed. This included definitions and components that influence the performance of movements requiring large joint motion ranges and muscle elasticity. Flexibility was discussed with reference to specific age groups, e.g. children and the elderly. Proprioceptive mechanisms and components directly related to flexibility were overviewed, as well as suitable approaches towards flexibilisation, i.e. maintaining and/or enhancing flexibility.

Introduction: Sports scientists have been studying the phenomenon involving different types of exercises and their influence on other activities. Stretching exercises have a negative influence on muscular strength and power output, as do high intensity or long duration cardiovascular training. Nevertheless, several studies have found the opposite to be true Nevertheless, few investigations have studied the opposite. Objective: To determine whether high intensity power exercise influences muscular flexibility in an acute manner. Methods: A sample of forty-three male and female young adults aged between 18 and 28 years, with a mean age of 22.88 + 3.04 years, who have practiced physical activity for at least six months. To determine flexibility, the sit-and-reach test was used. For the high intensity training, a 45º leg press was used. A 10-rep movement was performed at 85% of 1 RM, in both pre- and post-tests. Statistic analysis was conducted using the ANOVA and Scheffer's post-hoc tests, with a level of significance for differences of < 0.05. Results: Comparison of the pre- and post-tests proved to be statistically significant from the baseline from the fourth to the seventh repetitions. Conclusion: Strength exercises at 85% of 1RM seem to significantly increase range of motion in an acute manner, and the growth of this range of motion has a dose-effect response.

Aim: To evaluate pain, flexibility and hydroxyproline (HP) urinary levels in patients with nonspecific low back pain submitted to Global Postural Re-education (GPR) and stretching. Materials & meth...

This review aimed to analyze the effects of physical activity interventions on screen time in children and adolescents. This systematic review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and registered in International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under the protocol number: CRD42024608459. The inclusion criteria for the studies followed the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes, and Study (PICOS) strategy. The search was conducted in the MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, and Lilacs (BVS) databases. The Tool for the Assessment of Study Quality and Reporting in Exercise (TESTEX) and Risk of Bias (ROB) 2.0 tools were used to assess methodological quality and risk of bias, respectively. A total of 3,941 studies were identified, of which four met the inclusion criteria. The total sample comprised 685 participants, with 342 males and 343 females. Screen time and physical activity (PA) levels were assessed using subjective measures (self-report questionnaires) and/or objective measures (accelerometers). The reviewed studies demonstrated a positive impact on reducing sedentary behaviors (SB), particularly screen-based behaviors, through strategies to implement PA interventions and control and monitor screen time with electronic devices.

Objective: To verify the reproducibility of the Normal Flex set of tests as an instrument for evaluating the flexibility level of elderly women. Sample: Randomly composed of 50 active (n= 30) and inactive (n = 20) elderly women aged 67.15±4.21 years. Methods: Flexibility measurements of cervical spine rotation, shoulder horizontal extension, shoulder abduction, lumbar spine flexion and knees flexion were taken through analogical, digital and radiologic goniometry and by the Normal Flex protocol. Results: The intraclass coefficient of correlation (ICC) was used to verify the reliability within the same evaluators and between the evaluators. The statistical significance was p<0.05. Significant Pearson correlations showed validity for goniometry methods. The intra- and inter-rater reliability results for each joint in analogical goniometry and for Normal Flex varied from r = 0.90-0.99 (p<0.001), showing reproducible results. Conclusion: The reproducibility of Normal Flex as a method of evaluating flexibility of elderly women was confirmed.