Addition Of Short Duration Stretching Prior To Traditional Warmup Does Not Alter Cycling Sprint Power

While static stretching may reduce peak power, less is known about the impact on performance when stretching is followed by a traditional cardiovascular warmup prior to power-based activities. This study explores whether the addition of a short duration stretch prior to a traditional warmup impacts cycling sprint performance. PURPOSE: To examine the impact of static stretching on peak power during cycling sprints. METHODS: In a randomized design, twelve healthy adults (20 ± 1 years, 6 male, 6 female) completed three lab visits, each separated by 48-96 hours. Visit 1 included baseline demographics of body composition and maximal oxygen consumption. During visits 2 and 3, participants completed either a 5-min seated rest (REST) or a 5-min stretching (STRETCH) protocol, followed by a 10-min cycling warmup. Immediately after the warmup, participants performed four 15-sec sprints, each separated by 45 sec of low-intensity cycling. Heart rate, HR, and power were measured during the warmup period and peak power was assessed during each sprint. Repeated measures ANOVA assessed differences in warmup HR and average power, and peak power during four cycling sprints. Bonferroni post-hoc completed for p < 0.05. RESULTS: HR was elevated during the 5-min STRETCH compared to REST (84 ± 8 and 66 ± 10 bpm, respectively, P < 0.05), while HR during the 10-min cycling warmup was not different between the STRETCH and REST (141 ± 21 and 140 ± 19 bpm; respectively, p = 0.862). Average cycling power was not different during the 10-min warmup following STRETCH compared to REST (140 ± 43 and 137 ± 45 watts; respectively, p = 0.598). Sprint performance was reduced during the first sprint in STRETCH (324 ± 121) compared to REST (377 ± 146), p < 0.05, while the remaining 3 sprints were not different (p = 0.269) between STRETCH (387 ± 137, 394 ± 132, 452 ± 150) and REST (417 ± 136, 430 ± 135, 459 ± 160). CONCLUSIONS: HR was significantly elevated during the 5-min STRETCH compared to REST, while no differences were observed in HR or average cycling power during the subsequent 10-min cycling warmup. While the initial sprint peak power was impaired in STRETCH, no difference was observed in the subsequent three sprints. Pre-exercise stretching may initially impact sprint performance, but it does not appear to affect sustained sprinting capacity or power output.