A study published in the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance found that static stretching offers no benefit to the vertical jump when compared to a standing control protocol.
Researchers at Emporia State University in Kansas examined the effects of static stretching and inactivity on vertical jump performance immediately after and three, six, 12, and 24 minutes after either the stretching or control protocol. Each session began with a five-minute stationary cycle warm-up and a vertical jump to establish baseline data.
After completing the pre-treatment vertical jump test, the subjects performed either the stretching protocol or the control intervention. The stretching protocol consisted of nine minutes of lower body static stretching, while the control treatment consisted of nine minutes of simply standing. After the nine-minute period, vertical jump performance was assessed.
The results suggested that static stretching resulted in no effect on vertical jump performance when compared to standing still before jumping. In fact, vertical jump performance actually decreased after each of the static stretching periods, regardless of the length of time.
© Core Performance
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