Van Gelder, L. H., & Bartz, S. (2009). The effects of stretching on agility performance. ACSM 56th Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington. Presentation number 804.

This study determined the effects of static and dynamic stretching on performance time of a sport agility test. College males (N = 18) and male recreational basketball players (N = 42) were assigned to one of three intervention groups: static stretching, dynamic stretching, or no stretching. All groups completed a 10-minute warm-up jog followed by three minutes of rest. The stretching groups then completed an 8.5 minute stretching intervention. Ss then completed three trials of the 505 agility test with 2-5 minutes rest between each trial. Average time was determined.

The dynamic stretching treatment produced significantly faster times on the agility test when compared to the static stretching and no stretching treatment groups. There was no difference between the static stretching and no-stretching groups.

Implication. In comparison to static or no stretching, dynamic stretching significantly improves performance on linear agility skills involving a 180 degree change of direction.

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