Evetovich, T. K., Nauman, N. J., Conley, D. S., & Todd, J. B. (2003). The effect of static stretching of the biceps brachii on torque, electromyography, and mechanomyography. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 35(5), Supplement abstract 2057.

Adult Ss (M = 10; F = 8) performed maximal isokinetic (30 and 270 deg/sec) forearm flexion strength tests on two occasions while EMG and MMG measures were registered. Ss were randomly assigned to stretching and non-stretching protocols before testing.

Stretching significantly reduced torque. MMG amplitudes were greater for stretching than non-stretching while EMG amplitudes were similar.

Implication. "These results indicated that a greater ability to produce torque without prior stretching is related to the musculotendinous stiffness of the muscle rather than the number of motor units activated. This suggests that performing activities that reduce muscle stiffness (such as stretching or warming up) may be detrimental to performance" (p. 370).

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