Effects of stretching on jump performance: A systematic review of literature

The purpose of this systematic review of literature was to agglomerate, summarize, and analyze the trial studies that investigate the effects of different types of stretching on the performance of different types of jumps. Only results of the studies examining the effects of stretching on jump performance were reported. The inclusion criteria were developed based on the systematic review guidelines and previous literature reviews. The search for the studies were conducted during late 2011 to early 2012 on databases such as SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, Academic Search Premier, and Medline. The studies testing the effects of the stretching on jump performance were gathered. Fifty-two studies were included in the review. The studies reviewed were determined to be of evidence level 1b as categorized by Center of Evidence-Based Practice. The static stretching, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation type of stretching and other stretching techniques that required the participants to hold the stretch over 20 s at a point of discomfort had a significant physiological effect - reduced H-reflex, that was counteractive to improved jump performance. The effect of dynamic stretching was similar to an active full range of motio