"Coach Pete with Omega Speed Training has helped me grow as an athlete.  The speed training programs, and speed training camps were awesome!  In the strength and conditioning programs that were given by Omega Speed Training - I have seen a ton of improvement in a short period of time.  Omega Speed Training workouts are the best and I look forward to coming to the gym to workout because I know the workout I am now doing is getting big results.  I can't thank Coach Pete with Omega Speed Training enough, he knows his stuff when it comes to speed training and knows how to work with a variety of people.  He is the man - thanks Coach Pete!" ~ Nick C, SAC State football
 

What is Static Stretching?

Static stretching involves reaching forward to a point of tension and holding the stretch. Static stretching has been used through out the years for two main reasons: injury prevention and performance enhancement.  Many coaches, parents and young athletes still advocate the use of static stretching as part of the warmup routine.

Recent research finds that static stretching is counterproductive when used as part of a warmup, especially when used at the end of the warmup.  Holding stretches for time decreases the force of muscle contraction, decreases muscular endurance, and decreases the activation of the central nervous system. Part of power generation comes from what is called stored elastic energy or "stiffness" in the muscle and tendon. Too much static stretching can make the muscle overly compliant meaning the muscle loses its "stiffness." In addition, static stretching makes it harder for the nervous system to send signals to the muscle that tell the muscle to contract. Simply put, static stretching makes you weaker and slower when used just before athletic performance. However, static stretching is still an important training method for increasing flexibility and should be used after training or competition as part of a cool down.

Static stretching as part of the warmup has additional adverse effects, such as calming the athlete, decreasing blood flow and as mentioned above, reducing overall strength output. A recent study tested athletes’ strength production during a leg curl following static or dynamic stretching to discover if significant differences occurred in strength output. Results showed that static stretching compared to dynamic stretching produced a significant reduction in hamstring strength for a time period lasting up to one hour post stretching.  This is just one study of many studies that supports the fact that static stretching should not be used as part of the warmup routine and should only be used as a post workout cool down.

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If you have any questions and/or need any additional information, please don't hesitate to contact Coach Pete at coachpete@omegafitnessquest.com