In the study, conducted by Dr. Ian Shrier of SMBD-Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, Shrier reviewed 23 previous studies on the effects of stretching and sports performance. Upon analysis of “acute stretching” -- stretching that is performed immediately before an activity – Shrier found that nearly all of the studies indicated that it reduced performance in regard to muscle force, torque and jumping height. Shrier’s research did, however, determine that stretching after exercise or at times unrelated to exercise, could provide some benefit.

"If strength or power is important to you, don't stretch before exercise. If you enjoy stretching, stretch after exercise, or at other times," Shrier told WebMD.

In the workplace, pre-work stretching programs are sometimes inaccurately labeled “ergonomics.” This study, as well as others, indicates that a stretching program used in lieu of a true ergonomics program will not reduce worker injuries and may even have a negative impact on injury rates or performance.

“Whatever stretching is, it is clearly not a substitute for ergonomic analysis and intervention,” Jennifer Hess, DC, MPH, told Ergoweb in 2002. Hess, who has conducted and compiled research on the injury prevention effectiveness of stretching, agrees that stretching can help in injury rehabilitation, but that otherwise “there’s very little that demonstrates the efficacy of stretching.”

While stretching before work may not be the answer, a pre-work warm-up or stretching during the workday may offer some benefit to workers. For more information regarding stretching, exercise and warm-up programs that have worked in the workplace, as well as detailed coverage on why stretching is not considered to be a suitable substitute for ergonomics, and other articles on stretching and wellness programs in the workplace, see The Ergonomics Report (search “stretching”).

Sources: WebMD; The Ergonomics Report