Acute Effects of Static Stretching on the Knee Joint Position Sense of Soccer Players

Acute Effects of Static Stretching on the Knee Joint Position Sense of Soccer Players: a Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of static stretching on the knee joint-position sense of soccer players.

This crossover randomized controlled trial included male soccer players. All participants performed 3 conditions: two experimental conditions, of static stretching of the quadriceps and hamstrings muscles, for 30 or 90 seconds; and a control condition (rest). Knee joint-position sense of the dominant limb was assessed before and immediately after the conditions for the range of 45º of knee flexion by active repositioning, using a video camera. Absolute, relative and variable angular errors were calculated.

Inclusion Criteria:

• male soccer players
• aged between 18 and 30 years old
• with normal knee range of motion
• without history of lower limb injuries in the last 6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• history of knee surgery
• with cardiorespiratory, neurological or vestibular diseases
• with positive knee integrity tests (anterior drawer, posterior drawer, Lachman test and valgus and varus stress tests)
• using drugs that could affect the central nervous system, balance, or motor control (sedatives, anxiolytics, analgesics, NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, or antibiotics).