Cardiovascular Responses to Skeletal Muscle Stretching: Mechanisms, Evidence, and Therapeutic Potential

Background: Stretching is commonly prescribed with the intended purpose of increasing range of motion, enhancing muscular coordination, and preventing prolonged immobilization induced by aging or sedentary lifestyle. Emerging evidence suggests that acute or long-term stretching exercise may modulate a variety of cardiovascular responses. At the onset of stretch, mechanical deformation of the vascular bed coupled with stimulation of group III muscle afferent fibers initiates a cascade of events resulting in both peripheral vasodilation and a heart rate-driven increase in cardiac output, blood pressure, and muscle blood flow. This potential to increase shear stress and blood flow without excessive muscle energy expenditure may hold important implications for future therapeutic vascular medicine and cardiac health. Methods: This review synthesizes evidence from cardiovascular physiology, exercise science, and clinical medicine to examine the relationship between skeletal muscle stretching and cardiovascular regulation. Studies investigating acute and chronic stretching interventions and their effects on vascular function, blood pressure, and endothelial health are critically evaluated. Proposed mechanisms including nitric oxide bioavailability are systematically examined. Results: Acute stretching causes significant macro- and microcirculatory events that alter blood flow and the relationship between oxygen availability and utilization. Chronic stretching may result in improved endothelial function, reduced arterial stiffness, and decreased blood pressure. Increased nitric oxide bioavailability has been identified as a promising candidate mechanism for improved vessel function with stretching. The magnitude of cardiovascular responses appears dependent on stretching duration, intensity, and muscle group involvement. Conclusion: Acute and long-term stretching may serve as a novel, alternative, low-intensity therapeutic intervention capable of improving several parameters of vascular function. The relatively new concept of stretching as a cardiovascular intervention warrants further investigation to establish optimal prescription parameters, elucidate mechanisms, and evaluate long-term clinical outcomes. Future research should compare stretching with established exercise modalities and investigate applicability across different patient populations.

کلیدواژه ها:

Skeletal muscle stretching ، Cardiovascular responses ، Vascular function ، Nitric oxide ، Blood pressure ، Exercise therapy