Open AccessStatic Stretching Reduces Motoneuron Excitability: The Potential Role of Neuromodulation
Author(s) -
Gabriel S. Trajano,
Anthony J. Blazevich
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
exercise and sport sciences reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.945
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 1538-3008
pISSN - 0091-6331
DOI - 10.1249/jes.0000000000000243
Subject(s) - excitatory postsynaptic potential , neuromodulation , neuroscience , brainstem , chemistry , biology , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , stimulation
Prolonged static muscle stretching transiently reduces maximal muscle force, and this force loss has a strong neural component. In this review, we discuss the evidence suggesting that stretching reduces the motoneuron's ability to amplify excitatory drive. We propose a hypothetical model in which stretching causes physiological relaxation, reducing the brainstem-derived neuromodulatory drive necessary to maximize motoneuron discharge rates.