Static stretching is when a muscle is taken to an end range and held there for a period of time. It is what usually springs to most peoples mind when you mention stretching; think leaning forward and touching your toes for 30 seconds or sitting in a straddle and reaching forward for 30 seconds.
So what happens if the static stretch was held for less time? And who may it benefit?
When considering the biomechanics of many common gym exercises such as the back squat or the split squat, both need significant ranges around multiple joints. If you are someone who’s flexibility is perhaps not the greatest, performing these exercises even after a thorough dynamic warm up, is unlikely to give you the sufficient range required to get into the bottom positions for each move.
Research has shown us that breaking the parallel mark in a back squat significantly increase the activation of the gluteals. So if you are someone that constantly squats above that parallel mark due to flexibility issues, you could be missing out on overloading a major muscle group.
So is static stretching before a workout an option to increase your range, in order to give you more out of your workout?
Research looking into shorter periods of static stretching seem to be producing interesting findings. Static stretching for up to one minute per muscle group seems to be able to be done without impairing subsequent performance.
Studies seem to suggest also that a 4 minute break following static stretching is optimal to allow a “recovery” period following the stretching, which ensures the additional range is still maintained but no negative effects on performance are shown.
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5-10 minutes pulse raiser activity (skipping, running)
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Muscle activations (glute bridges, plank holds)
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Static stretching to increase range
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Warm up lifts (squats, lunges etc on light bar)
