Static stretching impairs sprint performance in collegiate track and field athletes

The purpose of this study was to establish whether the deleterious effects of static stretching (SS) would wash out the performance enhancements obtained from the dynamic warm-up (DW). Eleven males and 11 females, who were athletes of a NCAA Division I track team, performed a DW followed with either a SS or rest (NS) condition. After warm-up was completed, speed training was performed, three 40 m sprints were performed to investigate the effects of the SS condition on sprint performance when preceded by DW. Time for the NS versus the SS group was significantly faster.

The results of this study suggest that performing a static stretching protocol following a dynamic warm-up will inhibit sprint performance in collegiate athletes.

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2008, 22(1), 13-9

Winchester JB, Nelson AG, Landin D, Young MA, Schexnayder IC

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