Effect of Static Stretching on Prevention of Injuries for Military Recruits

TLDR

The study examined whether static stretching before and after training sessions could reduce injury rates among Japan Ground Self‑Defense Force recruits. A prospective cohort of 901 recruits (518 in a stretching group and 383 controls) performed 18 static stretching exercises around each training session, and injury incidence was extracted from medical records. While overall injury rates were similar, the stretching group experienced significantly fewer muscle/tendon injuries and low‑back pain, indicating that static stretching lowered muscle‑related injuries but did not affect bone or joint injury rates.

Abstract

This prospective study was designed to evaluate whether static stretching can prevent training-related injuries in Japan Ground Self-Defense Force military recruits. A total of 901 recruits between 1996 and 1998 were divided into two groups. Of which, 518 recruits were assigned to the stretching group and practiced static stretching before and after each physical training session. The control subjects (383 recruits in the nonstretching group) did not stretch statically prior to exercise. The static stretching consisted of 18 exercises. We collected injury data from medical records and assessed the incidence and the location of injury. The total injury rate was almost the same between two groups; however, the incidences of muscle/tendon injury and low back pain were significantly lower in the stretching group (p < 0.05). Static stretching decreased the incidence of muscle-related injuries but did not prevent bone or joint injuries.