Upper body force production after a low-volume static and dynamic stretching

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Pre-exercise stretching is common but its acute effects on maximal force production remain debated.
• Understanding the impact of static versus dynamic stretching on strength performance is crucial for training program design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the acute effects of low-volume static and dynamic stretching on maximal isometric peak force (MIPF), time to maximal isometric force (TMIF), rate of force production (RFP), and surface electromyography (sEMG) of upper limb muscles during a bench press exercise.

Main Methods:

• Thirty male subjects were divided into static stretching (SG), dynamic stretching (DG), and control (CG) groups.
• SG performed two 30-s stretches, DG performed 10 repetitions of dynamic movements for pectoralis major and triceps brachii.
• MIPF, TMIF, RFP, and AvgEMG were measured before and after the interventions.

Main Results:

• Both SG and DG showed a significant decrease in MIPF post-intervention (p <0.001 and p <0.05, respectively).
• SG exhibited a significant decrease in AvgEMG (p <0.05), while DG and CG showed no significant changes in AvgEMG.
• No significant differences were observed in TMIF or RFP across any group.

Conclusions:

• Low-volume static and dynamic stretching can acutely impair maximal voluntary force production and muscle activation in upper limb agonists.
• Stretching protocols did not negatively affect the rate of force development or the time to reach maximal force.
• These findings suggest caution when incorporating stretching immediately before strength-focused activities.