Tweet
The Effects of Static Stretching on Muscle Strength
Will static stretching negatively affect muscular force production? According to researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the answer is yes.
Subjects in this study warmed up, and then had their concentric, isokinetic knee extension peak torque measured in both legs at 60 and 240 degrees per second. Subjects then underwent 4 static stretches (1 active and 3 passive) for the knee extensors on their dominant leg only. Each stretch was performed 4 times and held for 30 seconds. After static stretching, peak torque was again measured in both the dominant and non-dominant leg.
Following static stretching, peak torque decreased in both limbs and at both measured velocities. Other studies have also shown static stretching to decrease force production, and have suggested that decreases in peak torque are velocity specific. In this study, peak torque decreased at both 60 and 240 degrees per second, suggesting that the decrease in force production may not be velocity specific.
The cause of this decrease in peak torque is not known. However the current study suggests that the cause may be related to changes in the mechanical properties of the muscle, such as an altered length-tension relationship, or a central nervous system inhibitory mechanism (supported by the decrease in strength on the non-stretched leg).
Strength and conditioning professionals may want to reconsider static stretching before competition. As more and more studies continue to suggest that static stretching may decrease maximal force production, the effects that this decrease will have on performance must now be considered.
Cramer JT, Housh TJ, Johnson GO, Miller JM, Coburn JW, Beck TW. (2004). Acute effects of static stretching on peak torque in women. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 18(2):236 – 241.
Will static stretching negatively affect muscular force production? According to researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the answer is yes.
Subjects in this study warmed up, and then had their concentric, isokinetic knee extension peak torque measured in both legs at 60 and 240 degrees per second. Subjects then underwent 4 static stretches (1 active and 3 passive) for the knee extensors on their dominant leg only. Each stretch was performed 4 times and held for 30 seconds. After static stretching, peak torque was again measured in both the dominant and non-dominant leg.
Following static stretching, peak torque decreased in both limbs and at both measured velocities. Other studies have also shown static stretching to decrease force production, and have suggested that decreases in peak torque are velocity specific. In this study, peak torque decreased at both 60 and 240 degrees per second, suggesting that the decrease in force production may not be velocity specific.
The cause of this decrease in peak torque is not known. However the current study suggests that the cause may be related to changes in the mechanical properties of the muscle, such as an altered length-tension relationship, or a central nervous system inhibitory mechanism (supported by the decrease in strength on the non-stretched leg).
Strength and conditioning professionals may want to reconsider static stretching before competition. As more and more studies continue to suggest that static stretching may decrease maximal force production, the effects that this decrease will have on performance must now be considered.
Cramer JT, Housh TJ, Johnson GO, Miller JM, Coburn JW, Beck TW. (2004). Acute effects of static stretching on peak torque in women. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 18(2):236 – 241.
Comment