Static stretching: an effective tool for  better health

Main Article Content

Semir Mašić

Abstract

Modern lifestyles are increasingly characterized by prolonged sitting, unhealthy dietary habits, and insufficient physical activity, making physical inactivity one of the leading modifiable risk factors for poor health. This behavioral shift contributes to overweight and obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and other chronic non-communicable diseases. Alongside regular physical activity, maintaining adequate mobility represents an essential yet often overlooked component of long-term health. Efficient human movement depends largely on the available range of motion within synovial joints, and insufficient physical activity may impair muscle function, restrict joint mobility, and ultimately compromise overall health status.

Article Details

Section

Review Article

How to Cite

Static stretching: an effective tool for  better health. (2026). Universa Medicina, 45(3), 332-334. https://doi.org/10.18051/UnivMed.2026.v45.332-334

References

1. Benson JM, Kook C, Moore AC, Voinier S, Price C, Burris DL. Range-of-motion affects cartilage fluid load support: functional implications for prolonged inactivity. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2021;29:134-42. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2020.11.005.

2. Mašić S, Čaušević D, Čović N, Spice S, Doder I. The benefits of static stretching on health: a systematic review. J Kinesiol Exercise Sci 2024;34:27-39. DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0054.2941.

3. Arntz F, Markov A, Behm DG, et al. Chronic effects of static stretching exercises on muscle strength and power in healthy individuals across the lifespan: a systematic review with multi-level meta-analysis. Sports Med 2023;53:723-45. doi: 10.1007/s40279-022-01806-9.

4. Behm DG, Blazevich AJ, Kay AD, McHugh M. Acute effects of muscle stretching on physical performance, range of motion, and injury incidence in healthy active individuals: a systematic review. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2016;411-11. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2015-0235.

5. Melenas R, Antunes R, Matos R, et al. The influence of muscle flexibility training on chronic pain in older adults: an exploratory systematic review. Sports (Basel) 2025;13:393. doi: 10.3390/sports13110393.

6. Halder K, Chatterjee A, Pal R, Tomer OS, Saha M. Age related differences of selected Hatha yoga practices on anthropometric characteristics, muscular strength and flexibility of healthy individuals. Int J Yoga 2015;8:37-46. DOI: 10.4103/0973-6131.146057.

7. Thomas E, Bianco A, Paoli A, Palma A. The relation between stretching typology and stretching duration: the effects on range of motion. Int J Sports Med 2018; 39:243-54. doi: 10.1055/s-0044-101146.

8. Babazadeh T, Ranjbaran S, Pourrazavi S, et al. Self-efficacy, self-esteem, and happiness in older adults: a cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2025;20:e0319269. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0319269.

9. Ruegsegger GN, Booth FW. Health benefits of exercise. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2018;8:a029694. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a029694.

10. Su H, Chang NJ, Wu WL, Guo LY, Chu IH. Acute effects of foam rolling, static stretching, and dynamic stretching during warm-ups on muscular flexibility and strength in young adults. J Sport Rehabil 2017;26:469-77. doi: 10.1123/jsr.2016-0102.