Effects of acute passive stretching on mean response time during an incremental ramp test

The effects of stretching administration on aerobic performance have not been yet extensively investigated. This study aims to assess the acute effects of pre-exercise passive stretching on the mean response time (MRT), i.e., the temporal interval between the increase in work rate and the rise in pulmonary oxygen uptake ( ), during an incremental ramp test. Eight physically active males (age 23 ± 4 years; stature 1.74 ± 0.13 m; body mass 71 ± 7 kg; mean ± standard deviation) performed two incremental ramp tests (25 W/min) of 5 min, with and without pre-exercise stretching. During tests, we measured and other metabolic and cardiorespiratory parameters. Before and after stretching the joint mobility and maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of the knee extensor muscles were evaluated. Stretching reduced MVC by 9 % ( P