Static and dynamic warm-up in upper extremity functional activities.

Abstract

Considerable research has explored stretching the lower extremity prior to activities; limited literature examined the upper extremity (UE). The purpose of this study is to determine whether a static or dynamic stretch will increase the functional capacity of the UE. Students between the age of 21-35 were randomly assigned to a static or dynamic stretching group. Regardless of initial assignment, subjects served as their own control and performed both warm-ups. The dominant arm was tested during the following: concentric IR and ER strength testing, proprioception, softball throw and a closed-kinetic chain upper extremity stability test (CKCST). Paired t-tests revealed no significant difference between proprioception, isokinetic, and softball throw. However, there was a significant difference between dynamic warm-up and the CKCST.