Miyahara, Y., Ogura, Y., Naito, H., Ayabe, M., Saga, N., Kurosaka, M., & Katamoto, S. (2007). Comparison between the effect of ballistic stretching and static stretching on maximal voluntary contraction. ACSM Annual Meeting New Orleans, Presentation Number, 1833.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of ballistic stretching and static stretching on maximum voluntary contractions. Young men (N = 9) completed three different conditions; non-stretching, static stretching, and ballistic stretching. The hamstrings of the dominant legs were stretched to the discomfort point. During static stretching, Ss held the stretching position for 45 seconds. Ballistic stretching involved 45 bob-up and -down movements at a pace of one per sec. In both conditions, stretching was repeated five times with 15 seconds of rest between sets. Before and after each intervention, maximum voluntary contraction of knee flexion and an iEMG of the biceps femoris muscle were recorded. Hamstring flexibility was also recorded.

The range of motion increased in both stretching conditions when compared to controls. Maximum voluntary contraction was decreased by both stretching conditions when compared to the unchanged non-stretching condition. Static stretching reduced maximum voluntary contractions significantly more than ballistic stretching.

Implication. Stretching reduces strength with static stretching being more severe than ballistic stretching.

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