A Meta-analysis To Determine The Acute Effects Of Static Stretching On Jumping And Sprinting Performance

800

May 28 1:00 PM - 1:15 PM

Static stretching (SS) is commonly performed prior to exercise and athletic events. It is generally believed that that pre-exercise SS will promote better performances and reduce the risk of injury during exercise. However, some, but not all studies showed that pre-exercise SS may actually reduce performance, particularly those related to explosive muscular efforts (i.e. jumps and sprints). Given the widespread use of SS in exercise and rehabilitation settings, it is of both scientific and practical relevance to determine the precise estimate of acute effects of SS on explosive muscular performance.

PURPOSE: To determine the precise estimate of acute effects of SS on jumping and sprinting performance in healthy individuals.

METHODS: Meta-analyses of randomized and non-randomized controlled trials and crossover trials that evaluated the acute effects of SS on jumping (jump height or distance) and sprinting (sprint time or velocity) performance. Studies were identified by computerized and manual searches of the literature.

RESULTS: A total of 24 studies yielding 33 data points for jumping performance and 13 data points for sprinting performance met the initial inclusion criteria. The pooled estimate of the acute effects of SS on jumping and sprinting performance, expressed in standardized units (i.e. ES), was -0.09 (95% CI -0.15 to -0.04) and -0.04 (95% CI -0.12 to 0.05), respectively. No significant relations were found between the total stretch duration and stretch-induced changes in jumping or sprinting performance.

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the application of SS in warm-up routines could decrease jumping and sprinting performance, but the magnitude of these effects are likely to be of small practical importance.