Positive results for muscular strength were also found in the stretching group, with gains in knee flexion strength. The increased range of motion may indirectly drive the increased strength in some muscular groups as reported by Shrier in a systematic
review. 37 In the shortened position, the functional muscle length is reduced and the sarcomeres cannot develop maximum contractile force, since the ideal physiological overlap between the actin and myosin is lost. Flexibility training could restore the ideal overlap, allowing maximum force production.