Static Stretching Exercises

Research work detailed in Medicine & Science in Sport and Exercise 33(3), pp354-358 and Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, vol 15 (1): 98-101 suggests that the use of dynamic stretches - slow controlled movements through the full range of motion - are the most appropriate exercises for warming up. By contrast, static stretches are more appropriate for the cool down.

The Exercises

The following are examples of general static stretching exercises that could form part of the cool down program at the end of a training session when stretches are held for 10 seconds or to improve the mobility and range of movement when stretches are held for 30 seconds. In all exercises breathe easily whilst performing them.

Chest Stretch

  • Stand tall, feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent
  • Hold you arms out to the side parallel with the ground and the palms of the hand facing forward
  • Stretch the arms back as far as possible
  • You should feel the stretch across your chest

Biceps Stretch

  • Stand tall, feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent
  • Hold you arms out to the side parallel with the ground and the palms of the hand facing forward
  • Rotate the hands so the palms face to the rear
  • Stretch the arms back as far as possible
  • You should feel the stretch across your chest and in the biceps

Upper Back Stretch

  • Stand tall, feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent
  • Interlock your fingers and push your hands as far away from your chest as possible, allowing your upper back to relax
  • You should feel the stretch between your shoulder blades

Shoulder Stretch

  • Stand tall, feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent
  • Place your right arm, parallel with the ground across the front of your chest
  • Bend the left arm up and use the left forearm to ease the right arm closer to you chest
  • You will feel the stretch in the shoulder
  • Repeat with the other arm

Shoulder and Triceps Stretch

  • Stand tall, feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent
  • Place both hands above your head and then slide both of your hands down the middle of your spine
  • You will feel the stretch in the shoulders and the triceps

Side Bends

  • Stand tall, feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, hands resting on the hips
  • Bend slowly to one side, come back to the vertical position and then bend to the other side
  • Do not lean forwards or backwards

Abdominal and lower back muscles

  • Lie face down on the ground in a prone position
  • Lift your body off the ground so that you are supported only by your forearms and toes. The elbows should be on the ground and should be almost directly below your shoulders. Your forearms and hands should be resting on the ground, pointed straight ahead, toes and feet should be shoulder width apart and your head in line with your spine
    Abs and back
  • Contract your gluteus (bum) muscles gently. Hold for ten seconds
  • Lift your right arm off the ground, straighten it and point it straight ahead, holding it in the air for 10 seconds
  • Return to the starting position
  • Repeat with the left arm
  • Return to starting position
  • Lift your right leg off the ground and hold it there for ten seconds (keep back straight).
  • Return to starting position
  • Repeat with left leg
  • Return to starting position
  • lift your right arm and left leg simultaneously and hold them in position for ten seconds
  • Return to starting position
  • Lift your left arm and right leg simultaneously and hold them in position for ten seconds
  • Return to the starting position

Hamstring Stretch

  • Sit on the ground with both legs straight out in front of you
  • Bend the left leg and place the sole of the left foot alongside the knee of the right leg
  • Allow the left leg to lie relaxed on the ground
  • Bend forward keeping the back straight
  • You will feel the stretch in the hamstring of the right leg
  • Repeat with the other leg

Calf Stretch

  • Stand tall with one leg in front of the other, hands flat and at shoulder height against a wall.
  • Ease your back leg further away from the wall, keeping it straight and press the heel firmly into the floor
  • Keep your hips facing the wall and the rear leg and spine in a straight line
  • You will feel the stretch in the calf of the rear leg
  • Repeat with the other leg

Hip and Thigh Stretch

  • Stand tall with you feet approximately two shoulder widths apart
  • Turn the feet and face to the right
  • Bend the right leg so that the right thigh is parallel with the ground and the right lower leg is vertical
  • Gradually lower the body
  • Keep you back straight and use the arms to balance
  • You will feel the stretch along the front of the left thigh and along the hamstrings of the right leg
  • Repeat by turning and facing to the left

Adductor Stretch

  • Stand tall with you feet approximately two shoulder widths apart
  • Bend the right leg and lower the body
  • Keep you back straight and use the arms to balance
  • You will feel the stretch in the left leg adductor
  • Repeat with the left leg

Groin Stretch

  • Sit with tall posture
  • Ease both of your feet up towards your body and place the soles of your feet together, allowing your knees to come up and out to the side
  • Resting your hands on your lower legs or ankles and ease both knees towards the ground
  • You will feel the stretch along the inside of your thighs and groin

Front of Trunk Stretch

  • Lie face down on the floor, fully outstretched
  • Bring your hands to the sides of your shoulders and ease your chest off the floor, keeping your hips firmly pressed into the ground
  • You will feel the stretch in the front of the trunk

Iliotibial Band Stretch

  • Sitting tall with legs stretched out in front of you
  • Bend the right knee and place the right foot on the ground to the left side of the left knee
  • Turn your shoulders so that you are facing to the right
  • Using your left arm against your right knee to help ease you further round
  • Use your right arm on the floor for support
  • You will feel the stretch along the length of the spine and in the muscles around the right hip

Quadriceps Stretch

  • Lie face down on the floor, resting your fore-head on your right hand
  • Press your hips firmly into the floor and bring your left foot up towards your buttocks
  • Take hold of the left foot with the left hand and ease the foot closer to you buttocks
  • Repeat with the right leg
  • You will feel the stretch along the front of the thigh

Stretching Handook

The Stretching Handbook

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The Stretching Handbook is one of the only books available on the market today to contain photographs (not diagrams, cartoons or illustrations) of over 100 unique, individual stretches. Each stretch targets a specific muscle group, and comes with clear, high quality photographs, as well as a step-by-step description of exactly how the stretch is performed.

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Stretching DVD

The Stretching DVD

The Stretching DVD contains crucial stretching information like the benefits of flexibility, the rules for safe stretching, and how to stretch properly. Plus, complete visual, step-by-step demonstrations of more than 40 different stretching exercises!

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Associated Pages

The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page:

Associated Books

The following books provide more information related to this topic:

  • Mobility Training, N. Brook, ISBN 0 85134 079 2
  • Strength and Conditioning for Games Players, C. Brewer, ISBN 1 902523 85 7
  • Circuit Training for all sports, M. Scholich, ISBN 0 920905 04 8
  • Medicine Ball Training, Z. Tenke et al., ISBN 0 92095 40 4
  • Strength Conditioning with Medicine Balls, M. Jones, ISBN 0 851 34097 0
  • Advanced Studies in Physical Education and Sport, P Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 4482345
  • Physical Education and the Study of Sport, B. Davis et al., ISBN 0 7234 31752
  • Essentials of Exercise Physiology, W.D. McArdle et al., ISBN 0 683 30507 7
  • Physical Education and Sport Studies, D. Roscoe et al., ISBN 1 901424 20 0
  • The World of Sport Examined, P. Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 438719 9
  • Advanced PE for Edexcel, F. Galligan et al., ISBN 0 435 50643 9
  • Examining Physical Education, K. Bizley, ISBN 0 435 50660 9
  • Sport and PE, K Wesson et al., ISBN 0 340 683821
  • PE for you, J. Honeybourne, ISBN 0 7487 3277 2