Effects of passive static stretching on muscle strength performance: a systematic review.

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate the relationship of passive static stretching on strength training and total training volume.

Methods: This study is a systematic review, which used the electronic databases Scielo, Lilacs, using the descriptors: Stretching or Stretching and strength training or resistance training or weight training. Complete articles in Portuguese and English, published between 2015 and 2021, that have assessed the effects of static stretching on muscle strength performance were included in this review.

Results: The findings indicate that static stretching in the agonist musculature, lasting between 20 and 45 seconds, performed prior to strength training, does not interfere with the total number of repetitions, total load and dynamic strength gain, however, it seems to influence the isometric force peak. In studies that evaluated stretching in antagonist muscles, one study showed a significant increase in the number of repetitions.

Conclusion: The performance of maximum dynamic contractions, stretching does not significantly interfere in the variables, yet, when applied to the antagonist muscles, it can promote an increase in the number of repetitions.