The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of static stretching (SS) of agonists and antagonists between sets on the total training volume (TTV) performed across multiple sets for the leg extension exercise. Twelve male subjects with experience in resistance training (RT) participated in this study. Subjects performed 10 repetition maximum (10RM) test and retest trials for the leg extension exercise. Four different protocols were randomly applied as follows: quadriceps stretching (AG); hamstrings stretching (AN); quadriceps and hamstrings stretching (AGN); and traditional control without stretching (TR). Significant differences (p≤0.05) were observed in the TTV between the AG (4855.42 ± 1279.38 kg) and AN (6002.08 ± 1805.18 kg), AGN (5977.50 ± 1778.49 kg), and TR (6206.04 ± 1796.15 kg) protocols. These results suggest that when practicing inter-set SS, it should be done for antagonist rather than agonist muscles when the intent is to maximize TTV.
Keywords: Strength training; elongation; hamstring; leg extension machine; quadriceps.