Mixed
High-volume static stretching is a viable therapeutic alternative or supplement for counteracting immobilization-induced muscle atrophy in patients who are bedridden, post-surgery, or have mobility restrictions.
If you are recovering from surgery or an injury and cannot lift weights, use a stretching device or manual stretching for 30 minutes to 2 hours daily. This can help prevent muscle loss during immobilization. Consult your doctor before starting.
In contrast to active training, passive stretching could be considered an effective option or supplement without the necessity of supervision... This practice could be a valuable complement to strength training or other therapies—especially in early rehabilitation stages
Why this rating
The paper states that effects during early rehabilitation are currently speculative and calls for further research.
Source
Implications and Applications of Stretch-Mediated Hypertrophy in Therapy, Rehabilitation and Athletic Training—An Outlook to Future Potential Applications
Konstantin Warneke et al. · Sports Medicine · 2025
DOI 10.1007/s40279-025-02237-y
More from this paper
- High-volume static stretching (≥15 minutes per muscle group, >3 times per week) induces muscle hypertrophy and strength increases comparable to resistance training, primarily by generating high-magnitude mechanical tension that activates mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathways.Moderate
- High-volume static stretching improves glycemic control (post-prandial glucose and HbA1c) in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes, potentially by increasing GLUT-4 translocation via AMPK and CaMK pathways.Moderate
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