A study in Brazil showed that practicing static stretching before benching 80% of maximum effort to failure, had no effect at all on loads lifted.
Those tested statically stretched their triceps and pectoral muscles for 30 seconds before lifting 80% of the maximum effort weight.
Whilst the tests showed negative effects in terms of weights lifted, more studies are needed to see whether injury and other effects may be caused when stretching before resistance based exercises.
For Team Wild, the jury is out – joint health comes first for us and until this information is made available in future studies, we cannot recommend static stretching.
Taken from Journal Strength Condition Research 28, 2014
