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Study note

The acute effects of dynamic and ballistic stretching on vertical jump height, force, and power.

PMID 18841078 (2008): stretch, stretching — Injury risk (study note for endurance athletes).

Updated Jul 22, 2026

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Study note • PMID 18841078

The acute effects of dynamic and ballistic stretching on vertical jump height, force, and power.

Journal of strength and conditioning research2008 • DOI 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181854a3d

How to use this page

This note summarizes one study record. Check the participants, methods, results, and limitations before applying it to training.

  • Design signal: randomized trial.
  • Population relevance: athlete/trained context.
  • Consistency: single-study evidence.
  • Practical recommendation depends on tolerance, context, and whether it protects training consistency.

ELI5

In plain language

Stretching before performance is a common practice among athletes in hopes of increasing performance and reducing the risk of injury. (randomized trial; athletes).

The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Injury risk under the tested conditions. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.

Takeaways

What the abstract suggests

  • Study question: Stretching before performance is a common practice among athletes in hopes of increasing performance and reducing the risk of injury.
  • The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Injury risk under the tested conditions.
  • Population: athletes.
  • Protocol cues: abstract may omit dose/timing; use the full paper to replicate accurately.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: stretch, stretching.
  • Dose/time/duration: abstract doesn’t include enough detail; use the full paper’s methods section.
  • Outcomes: Injury risk.
  • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.

Fit

Who it may help, and who should be cautious

Who it helps

  • Athletes similar to the study population (athletes) working on mobility.
  • Athletes who can measure Injury risk with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.

Who should be cautious

  • If you have symptoms or conditions that make the intervention risky, get professional guidance.
  • If you’re near race day and can’t safely test, defer the experiment.

Methods

What the study actually did

  • Design: randomized trial.
  • Population: athletes.
  • Outcomes measured: Injury risk.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 18841078 (2008) — Journal of strength and conditioning research.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

A paired samples t-test revealed no significant difference in jump height, force, or power when comparing no stretch with ballistic stretch.

Note: excerpts are short; for full context, read the paper.

Limits

Limitations and bias

  • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
  • Single studies often don’t generalize to your event, history, and training load; treat results as a starting point.
  • If your context differs (elite vs recreational; cycling vs running), adjust expectations and be conservative.
  • This is performance information, not medical advice.

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Sources