Evidence for improved systemic and local vascular function after long-term passive static stretching training of the musculoskeletal system

Vascular function and arterial stiffness are important markers of cardiovascular health and

cardiovascular co-morbidity.

Transitional phases of hypoemia and hypermia, with consequent fluctuations in shear rate,

occuring during repetitive passive stretching adminstration (passive stretching training) may

constitute an effective stimulus to induce an amelioration in vascular function, arterial stiffness

and vascular remodelling by improving central and local blood flow control mechanisms.

Vascular function, arterial stiffness and vascular remodelling were evaluated before and after

12 weeks of passive stretching training and after 6weeks from training cessation, in the femoral,

popliteal (treated with stretching), and brachial arteries (untreated) of both sides.

After passive stretching training, vascular function and arterial remodelling improved, and

arterial stiffness decreased in all the arteries, suggestingmodifications of both central and local

blood flow control mechanisms. Passive stretching-induced improvements related to central

mechanisms seemed to have a short duration, as they returned to pre-training baseline within

6 weeks from training cessation, whereas those more related to a local mechanism persisted in

the follow-up.