Fourteen female gymnasts, competitive levels 7-9, (149.2 ± 11.8 cm, 97.3 ± 26.4 lbs) performed drop jumps onto a timing mat under two conditions. On one day the gymnasts were stretched statically for 30 seconds on 3 different exercises (Figure 1: stair stretch, partner supine stretch, and pike stretch). These exercises were performed twice in a circuit fashion. The gymnasts then immediately performed 3 drop jumps. We evaluated the time on the ground for each gymnast, as well as the height she achieved in the jump. On the second day, the gymnasts did not stretch, but performed the drop jumps after their usual warm-up activities (which did not include static stretching). The order of the conditions was randomly assigned. The results showed that the gymnasts jumped significantly lower following the stretching protocol (.246 m compared to .268 m). This difference in performance is equivalent to an average 8.2% loss in height. This reduction in performance could mean the difference between landing safely and under-rotating a tumbling skill. Time on the ground during the jump was not changed. Research on adult subjects has shown that static stretching reduces strength performance by reducing muscle activation as well as compromising the muscle's ability to contract at the cellular level (Fowles " Sale, 2000). Although we have been recommending the discontinuance of intense static stretching in favor of dynamic stretching as part of the warmup for gymnasts, coaches and athletes have seemed slow to accept this recommendation. While static stretching is beneficial and important for a gymnast's flexibility development, this type of training should not be placed before activities in which the gymnast must be strong or powerful (i.e. - before or during gymnastics training). Based on the data presented here, coaches should re-evaluate their warmup practices and consider the effects of static stretching on their gymnasts' ability to produce powerful movements. As athletes in other sports have found, dynamic stretches such as leg kicks are probably a better choice for preparing gymnasts for training explosive movements. Technique, November/December 2001, Volume 21, Issue #1
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