Stretching practices of International Powerlifting Federation unequipped powerlifters
Abstract
Stretching practices in powerlifters. The purpose of this study was to provide insight into the stretching practices of competitive powerlifters. Powerlifters (n = 319) from 51 countries completed a self-reported online survey on stretching practices. Subjects had (mean ± SD, median, and interquartile range) 7.7 ± 6.1, 6, and 6 years of general resisting training, 4.4 ± 4.5, 3, and 3 years of strength specific training, and been competing in powerlifting for 3.0 ± 3.7, 2, and 2 years with the average Wilks score being 366.4 ± 52.2, 365, and 60. Analysis by sex and competitive standard was conducted. More than 50% (52.4%) of subjects (n = 167) reported stretching; of those, 84.4% performed static stretches, and 90.4% performed dynamic stretches. Stretching was performed before resistance training by 77.8%, after resistance training by 43.7%, and 53.9% stretched independent of resistance training. Powerlifters who performed static stretches before training did an average of 6.72 ± 10.31, 5, and 8 repetitions per stretch and held those stretches for an average of 30.8 ± 31.4, 20, and 15 seconds; 90.1% also performed dynamic stretches. Powerlifters who performed static stretches after or independent of training did an average of 4.1 ± 4.2, 2, and 9 repetitions per stretch and held those stretches for an average of 42.9 ± 30.8, 30, and 33 seconds. The majority of powerlifters (66.9%) programmed stretching themselves, whereas only 10.2% had stretching programmed by their coach. These data will inform athletes and coaches about the prevalence and characteristics of current stretching practices in powerlifters.
RAS ID
54063
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
2020
PubMed ID
32947567
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
Copyright
subscription content
Publisher
National Strength and Conditioning Association
Comments
Spence, A. J., Helms, E. R., & McGuigan, M. R. (2020). Stretching Practices of International Powerlifting Federation Unequipped Powerlifters. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 36(12), 3456-3461. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003800