This study investigated the acute effect of static stretching exercises (SSE) on maximum strength (MS) and strength endurance (SE) performance in lower and upper limbs. Thirteen volunteers participated in the study and were submitted to MS and SE (70% 1RM) tests in the bench press and squat exercises with or without SSE. The paired T test showed that the SSE decreased MS in the squat (141.2±34.2 vs 132±34.9kg, p=0.007) and in the BP (77.5±21.7 vs 71.7±17.7kg p=0.04). Squat SE was not affected by SSE (16.2±5.7 vs 16.3±6.8 repetitions p=0.48). On the other hand, bench press SE decreased significantly after SSE (11.7±4.8 vs 9.9±5.1 repetitions p=0.008). Therefore, SSE impaired MS performance on upper and lower limbs but SE was affected only on upper limbs. This difference in SE may be related to the stretching exercises volume applied to the size of each muscle group.
performance; stretching; physical training
