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9 sources: 3 meta-analyses, 1 non-randomised trial, 5 randomised controlled trials
Physical · Concept

Stretching, Muscle Stiffness & the Muscle-Tendon Unit

Meta-analyses and trials of static stretching and passive stiffness of the muscle-tendon unit, in single sessions and over weeks. The sources' conclusions are not yet recorded in this library, so this entry states no effect on stiffness.

Any levelAnywhere
Before you start

None, informational content.

When to seek a professional
  • Persistent joint pain or sudden loss of range of motion, refer to a physician or physical therapist.
For most adultsAthletesOlder adults
What the evidence says
What the sources say

The sources on this entry studied static stretching and passive stiffness of the muscle-tendon unit, in single sessions and over training periods. Takeuchi 2023 is a meta-analysis of 17 studies, a second Takeuchi 2023 paper is a meta-analysis, and Ingram 2025 is a systematic review and meta-analysis of 65 studies and 1542 participants. Six are primary trials: Konrad 2019, Hatano 2017, Konrad 2020, Støve 2021 and Longo 2021 are randomised trials, and Moltubakk 2021 is a non-randomised trial. Passive stiffness is a mechanical measure distinct from the range-of-motion number itself; that distinction is this entry's own label. The sources' conclusions are not yet recorded in this library, so this entry states no effect of stretching on stiffness, acute or long-term.

Common misconceptions
  • One stretch permanently softens the muscle, durable stiffness change needs weeks.
What we won't claim
  • Stretching removes all muscle tightness permanently.
9 sources: 3 meta-analyses, 1 non-randomised trial, 5 randomised controlled trials
Agreement
Direction recorded for 0 of 9 sources; not yet recorded for the rest.
The claim's outcome
Outcome not yet recorded
Certainty
No source states a certainty rating.
Authors
Sources share authors: A. Konrad (first author of 2 sources); Kosuke Takeuchi (first author of 2 sources); M. Tilp (senior author of 2 sources); Takamasa Mizuno (senior author of 2 sources).
What each source measured and concluded (9)
randomised controlled trial · 2019
Konrad et al. (2019) — The time course of muscle-tendon properties and function responses of a five-minute static stretching exercise
How it was read
read in full text
meta-analysis · 2023
Takeuchi et al. (2023) — Acute and Long-Term Effects of Static Stretching on Muscle-Tendon Unit Stiffness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
How it was read
read in full text
What the review says it includes
meta-analysis
Studies and participants, as stated
N = not reported participants across 17 studies
meta-analysis · 2025
Ingram et al. (2025) — Mechanisms Underlying Range of Motion Improvements Following Acute and Chronic Static Stretching: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis and Multivariate Meta-regression
How it was read
read in full text
What the review says it includes
meta-analysis, systematic review
Studies and participants, as stated
N = 1542 participants across 65 studies
randomised controlled trial · 2017
Hatano et al. (2017) — Hamstring Stiffness Returns More Rapidly After Static Stretching Than Range of Motion, Stretch Tolerance, and Isometric Peak Torque.
How it was read
read in full text
randomised controlled trial · 2020
Konrad et al. (2020) — The acute time course of muscle and tendon tissue changes following one minute of static stretching
How it was read
read in full text
randomised controlled trial · 2021
Støve et al. (2021) — The tolerance to stretch is linked with endogenous modulation of pain
How it was read
read in full text
randomised controlled trial · 2021
Longo et al. (2021) — The effects of 12 weeks of static stretch training on the functional, mechanical, and architectural characteristics of the triceps surae muscle–tendon complex
How it was read
read in full text
non-randomised trial · 2021
Moltubakk et al. (2021) — Altered Triceps Surae Muscle–Tendon Unit Properties after 6 Months of Static Stretching
How it was read
read in full text
meta-analysis · 2023
Takeuchi et al. (2023) — Long‐term static stretching can decrease muscle stiffness: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
How it was read
read in full text
Key sources (9)

Every source below is shown with its study design and links to the original study. This is the audit trail.

randomised controlled trialThe time course of muscle-tendon properties and function responses of a five-minute static stretching exerciseA. Konrad, M. Reiner, S. Thaller, M. Tilp (2019) · European Journal of Sport Science · 10.1080/17461391.2019.1580319 · full text
meta-analysisAcute and Long-Term Effects of Static Stretching on Muscle-Tendon Unit Stiffness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Kosuke Takeuchi, M. Nakamura, Taizan Fukaya, A. Konrad, Takamasa Mizuno (2023) · Journal of Sports Science and Medicine · 10.52082/jssm.2023.464 · full text
meta-analysisMechanisms Underlying Range of Motion Improvements Following Acute and Chronic Static Stretching: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis and Multivariate Meta-regressionLewis A Ingram, Grant R. Tomkinson, N. d'Unienville et al. (2025) · Sports Medicine · 10.1007/s40279-025-02204-7 · full text
randomised controlled trialHamstring Stiffness Returns More Rapidly After Static Stretching Than Range of Motion, Stretch Tolerance, and Isometric Peak Torque.Genki Hatano, Shigeyuki Suzuki, Shingo Matsuo et al. (2017) · Journal of sport rehabilitation · 10.1123/jsr.2017-0203 · full text
randomised controlled trialThe acute time course of muscle and tendon tissue changes following one minute of static stretchingA. Konrad, M. Tilp (2020) · Current Issues in Sport Science (CISS) · 10.15203/ciss_2020.003 · full text
randomised controlled trialThe tolerance to stretch is linked with endogenous modulation of painM. P. Støve, Rogério Pessoto Hirata, T. Skuli Palsson (2021) · Scandinavian Journal of Pain · 10.1515/sjpain-2020-0010 · full text
randomised controlled trialThe effects of 12 weeks of static stretch training on the functional, mechanical, and architectural characteristics of the triceps surae muscle–tendon complexS. Longo, E. Cé, A. Bisconti et al. (2021) · European Journal of Applied Physiology · 10.1007/s00421-021-04654-z · full text
non-randomised trialAltered Triceps Surae Muscle–Tendon Unit Properties after 6 Months of Static StretchingM. M. Moltubakk, F. Villars, M. M. Magulas, S. Magnusson, O. Seynnes, Jens BOJSEN-MØLLER (2021) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · 10.1249/mss.0000000000002671 · full text
meta-analysisLong‐term static stretching can decrease muscle stiffness: A systematic review and meta‐analysisKosuke Takeuchi, M. Nakamura, A. Konrad, Takamasa Mizuno (2023) · Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports · 10.1111/sms.14402 · full text
Explore all 567 studies in Flexibility →
The full evidence base this focus area draws on, every study with its design and DOI.
What it is for
Move more freelyRecover better between efforts
Stretching, Muscle Stiffness & the Muscle-Tendon Unit