Fry, A. C., McLellan, E., Weiss, L. W., & Rosato, F. D. (2003). The effects of static stretching on power and velocity during the bench press exercise. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 35(5), Supplement abstract 1460.

High school athletes (N = 40) were tested for bench press 1 RM at one session. In two other sessions, a general and exercise-specific warm-up, and a maximum velocity bench press at 85% 1 RM were performed. Static stretching was randomly implemented immediately before the tested lift in either session 2 or 3.

Static stretching significantly impaired bench press mean power and mean velocity.

Implication. Static stretching in close proximity to maximum power and strength activities has a detrimental effect on performance.

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