Acute effect of static and dynamic stretching on performance and perception of extertion in resistance exercise

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to compare the acute effect of static and dynamic inter-set stretching on performance during resistance training. Thirty physically active and apparently healthy male subjects took part in the study with a minimum experience of four months in resistance training. The mean of age was 23.4 ± 3.2 years; the body mass was 71.7 ± 6.0 kg; the height was 172 ± 6.1cm; the body fat percentage represented 16. 3 ± 5.3%; and the lean mass was 34.5 ± 3.2 kg. Then, subjects were randomly distributed in groups: control group (without stretching inter series), group with static inter series stretching (SS), and group with dynamic inter series stretching (DS). The groups were homogeneous in the 1RM (F (2.29) = 0.77, p =.47). Data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA. The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the behavior of the variables related to performance: (F.(2,29) = 1.37, p =.27, ωp2 =.02) in the fatigue index, (F.(2,29) = 2.25, p =.12, ωp2 =.07) in the total number of repetitions. Neither significant differences were observed in the perceived exertion (F.(2,29) = 0.46, p =.63, ωp2 = -.03). It is concluded that the performance expressed in the fatigue index and total number of repetitions, as well as the perceived exertion, is not acutely affected by the use of inter-series static or dynamic stretching.