The Effect of Static Stretching on Phases of Sprint Performance in Elite Soccer Players

Static stretching is commonly performed before engaging in physical activity and is believed to have several benefits, including improving athletic performance. However, it has been found that static stretching negatively affects sprint performance over a distance of 20 meters (Fletcher & Jones, 2004; Nelson et al., 2005). The relationship between static stretching and phase of sprint performance in a continuous sprint remains unexplored. PURPOSE: To determine if the acceleration or the maximal velocity phase of a 30-meter sprint is impacted by pre-performance static stretching in elite female soccer players. METHODS: Data were collected from 20 participants. On two non-consecutive days, participants were randomly assigned to either the stretch or no-stretch condition. On the first day, the athletes in the no-stretch condition completed a standard warm-up protocol and then performed two 30-meter sprints. The athletes in the stretch condition performed the standard warm-up protocol, completed a stretching routine of the hamstring, quadriceps, and calf muscles, and then performed two 30-meter sprints. On the second day, the groups were reversed and identical procedures were followed. RESULTS: One-way repeated measures ANOVAs revealed a statistically significant difference in acceleration (p < .02), maximal velocity sprint time (p < .02) and in overall sprint time (p < .02) between the stretch and no-stretch conditions. CONCLUSION: Static stretching prior to sprinting resulted in slower times in all three performance variables. The results of this study provide evidence to support previous findings that static stretching exerts a negative affect on sprint performance and should not be included as preparation for physical activity that requires sprinting. Additionally, it was observed that the stretching-induced detriment occurs during both the acceleration and the maximal velocity phases of the sprint.