Maximizing Hypertrophy: Possible Contribution of Stretching in the Interset Rest Period

THE TIME THAT A MUSCLE IS UNDER TENSION DURING RESISTANCE STRENGTH TRAINING IS THOUGHT IMPORTANT IN MAXIMIZING THE HYPERTROPHIC RESPONSE OF SKELETAL MUSCLE. IMPLEMENTING STRETCHING IN BETWEEN SETS MAY INCREASE THE HYPERTROPHIC EFFECT BY ADDING TO TOTAL SESSION TIME UNDER TENSION AND AS SUCH INCREASE THE EFFECT OF VARIOUS NEUROMECHANICAL AND METABOLIC STIMULI THAT ARE THOUGHT IMPORTANT TO HYPERTROPHIC ADAPTATION. THIS REVIEW WILL EXPLORE THIS CONTENTION BY BRIEFLY DISCUSSING THEMES AROUND STRETCH AND RESTRICTED BLOOD FLOW, HORMONE RELEASE, SIGNALING PATHWAYS, STRETCH ACTIVATION CHANNELS, STRETCH-INDUCED HYPERTROPHY, AND STRENGTH AND POWER PERFORMANCE.