Effects of stretching between sets on muscle performance

The Effects of Inter-set Stretching on Muscle Performance

NA · University of Palermo · NCT06791733

This study is testing if stretching between sets of bench press can help improve muscle performance for people who lift weights.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexMale
SponsorUniversity of Palermo (other)
Locations2 sites (Palermo, Italy and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06791733 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This project evaluates how inter-set passive static stretching impacts muscle performance during bench press exercises. Participants will perform five sets of bench press at 70% of their one-repetition maximum (1-RM) under three conditions: stretching the agonist muscles, stretching the antagonist muscles, and a control session with no stretching. The study employs a crossover design, allowing each participant to experience all conditions, and measures outcomes such as strength, power, velocity, and total volume. The goal is to determine if stretching between sets enhances performance compared to traditional methods.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy men aged 18 years and older with at least six months of resistance training experience.

Not a fit: Patients who are female, under 18 years old, or have had musculoskeletal injuries in the past six months will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into optimizing resistance training through improved muscle performance.

How similar studies have performed: While the effects of static stretching are well-documented, the specific approach of inter-set stretching during resistance training is less explored, making this study a novel investigation.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Healthy men aged ≥ 18 years.
* At least 6-month experience of resistance training.
* No previous musculoskeletal injuries in the 6 months prior to the study will be recruited

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participants who suffered an injury within the 6 months prior to the study and/or participants with pathological conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system will not be recruited.
* Female participants
* Participants with less than 18 years.
* Participants who match all inclusion criteria but who fail to attend one or more of the agonist/antagonist stretching sessions will be also excluded.

Where this trial is running

Palermo, Italy and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Healthy

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.