Stretching is a form of exercise defined as a movement applied by an internal or external force to a muscle group ([10]). Stretching exercises are performed in various physical activity and sports programs to develop flexibility, prepare the body for physical exertion, or promote recovery after sports ([5]). Several stretching techniques are used, including static, dynamic, and ballistic stretching, as well as proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation ([16]).

Static stretching, the most commonly used method, offers the advantage of improving flexibility and range of motion ([5]). However, several studies indicate that isolated static stretching lasting more than 60 seconds per muscle group reduces muscle speed, strength, and power, thereby limiting performance in speed and strength-based sports ([6]; [7]). Dynamic stretching is proposed as an alternative due to the benefits associated with improved range of motion and muscle performance ([5]; [20]). Indeed, it effectively improves physical performance, particularly agility, acceleration, vertical jump height, and maximal strength ([20]; [23]). Ballistic stretching is rarely practiced, carries a high risk of injury, and its effects on performance are not well established ([19]). Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching is not widely known or used, yet it has been observed to effectively increase flexibility and range of motion ([18]).

Since 1998, the American College of Sports Medicine has recommended stretching exercises before and after physical activity to enhance performance and facilitate recovery, respectively ([24]). This recommendation is supported by findings from several studies prescribing dynamic stretching before exercise and static stretching afterward to maximize benefits specifically, boosting performance and safeguarding athletes’ health ([7]; [3]; [5]). Consequently, numerous studies have examined the stretching practices of coaches across various team sports such as soccer, volleyball, basketball, and American football as well as individual sports like tennis, track and field, and cross-country running ([16]; [12]; [17]; [14]; [11]; [13]).

In Burkina Faso, as in most sub-Saharan African countries, refresher courses enabling coaches to acquire knowledge and skills based on new scientific findings are rare due to limited resources. To our knowledge, the stretching practices of Burkinabe coaches who play a central role in athlete preparation programs have not yet been investigated. For this reason, we deemed it necessary to conduct this study, which aims not only to compare the pre- and post-exercise stretching practices of Burkinabe team sports coaches with current scientific guidelines, but also to identify the factors associated with practices that align with these recommendations.

This was a cross-sectional study conducted with Burkinabe coaches of amateur team sports. The participants were active coaches holding a national or international qualification certificate recognized by their respective national federations. Prior to the study’s implementation, correspondence outlining the objectives and describing the survey procedure was sent to the national technical directorates of the various federations to request their authorization.

The aim of the study was not only to compare the pre- and post-exercise stretching practices of Burkinabe team sport coaches with current scientific guidelines but also to identify factors associated with practices that align with these recommendations. The study’s main limitation lies in the voluntary nature of participation, which precludes the generalization of the results. Other limitations include the inability to account for the number of repetitions of dynamic stretching exercises or the duration of static stretching exercises per muscle group. Nevertheless, the study yielded satisfactory results, providing insight into the stretching practices of Burkinabe team sports coaches in light of current scientific data.

Current scientific guidelines recommend dynamic stretching within the warm-up protocol to enhance athletic performance ([7]; [3]). The results revealed that the proportion of surveyed coaches using dynamic stretching during warm-ups was statistically high (59.4%), indicating that, overall, these coaches’ stretching practices during warm-ups align with current scientific recommendations. These findings corroborate those of studies conducted with American soccer coaches ([16]). On the other hand, they are opposed to the results recorded among the American football, volleyball, and basketball coaches ([14]; [17]; [12]).

The primary goal of a warm-up is to optimize athletic performance and reduce the risk of injury ([6]). Dynamic stretching contributes to this goal by better preparing the athlete for the subsequent performance ([5]; [4]). Dynamic stretching is associated with peripheral and neural adaptations within the neuromuscular system ([21]; [29]). Peripheral adaptations involve a decrease in muscle viscoelasticity and a shift in the musculotendinous unit ([23]), resulting in reduced musculotendinous stiffness and improved joint range of motion ([26]; [29]). Neural adaptations relate to the influence of efferent nerve impulses on the muscle—mediated by changes in corticospinal excitability and spinal motoneuron activity—which positively affect the capacity for muscle force production ([21]; [22]; [28]; [29]). Furthermore, dynamic stretching helps increase muscle temperature and blood flow, thereby facilitating a better supply of necessary nutrients to the muscles ([8]).

Approximately 42% of the coaches surveyed use static stretching in their warm-up protocols, which runs counter to current scientific findings ([7]; [3]). Indeed, it is well established that the use of static stretching during warm-ups impairs muscular performance—specifically speed, power, and strength ([1]; [2]). The impairment of muscular performance induced by static stretching is attributed to reduced neuromuscular activation and increased musculotendinous compliance, both of which lower the speed of muscle contraction ([1]; [2]). However, in sports requiring a high degree of static flexibility, short-duration, and low-intensity static stretching may be necessary for trained athletes to reduce the risk of injury ([6]).

The study results revealed that a statistically high proportion of the coaches surveyed (85.3%) use static stretching during the cool-down phase, a finding that corroborates the conclusions of several previous studies ([13]; [15]). Following intense activity, static stretching promotes a state of increased muscle relaxation ([10]). The theory regarding the benefits of static stretching for post-exercise recovery is a subject of debate. Indeed, static stretching compresses capillaries and interrupts blood flow, thereby reducing blood volume and negatively impacting recovery ([10]). Furthermore, a study conducted with this focus found no reduction in muscle soreness following static stretching exercises performed after an intense running workout ([30]). The adverse effects of static stretching after exercise are linked to changes in muscle neuromechanical properties and may be attributed to the duration and intensity of the exercises ([27]; [6]). Consequently, it is recommended to avoid static stretching exercises lasting longer than 30 seconds per muscle group or exceeding the threshold of discomfort ([27]; [7]).

The chi-square test indicated that coaches with less than 10 years of experience (62.8%) made greater use of dynamic stretching during warm-ups. These findings corroborate the results of a previous study involving tennis coaches ([13]). The failure of more experienced coaches—those with at least 10 years of experience (37.2%) to adhere to the recommendations could be explained by their reluctance to alter their practices, as established coaches are less inclined to change ([13]). Another finding is that coaches holding an international qualification (64.1%) made greater use of dynamic stretching in their warm-up protocols. These results corroborate those of a study conducted with American football coaches ([14]). They suggest that such qualifications enable coaches to align their practices with recent scientific findings. This may be explained by the fact that international certification programs are based on new scientific evidence and encourage coaches to adopt these findings by adjusting their coaching methods ([16]).

Finally, the results also revealed that soccer coaches predominantly used dynamic stretching exercises during warm-ups (67.4%), a finding that corroborates a recent study of soccer coaches in the United States ([16]). This trend may be attributed to the use of the “FIFA 11+” protocol. The “FIFA 11+” is a warm-up protocol developed by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and made available to coaches at all skill levels ([9]). Implementing the “FIFA 11+” protocol—which comprises 15 exercises, including dynamic stretching—requires neither expensive equipment nor specialized technical expertise, making it easy to use within the soccer community ([25]).

The results indicated that the stretching practices employed during warm-ups by the majority of the coaches surveyed align with current recommendations. During the cool-down phase, the majority of coaches also use static stretching, even though scientific evidence regarding the benefits of this practice is not well established. Less experienced coaches, those holding international-level qualifications, and football coaches were more likely to adhere to scientific findings regarding stretching recommendations for warm-ups. It would also be appropriate to examine the practices of coaches in individual sports to complement these results.

Conceptualization, A.T. and A.K.; methodology, A.T. and S.I.; software, A.S.; validation, N.V.Y.; formal analysis, A.T.; investigation, S.Y.; resources, A.R.C.; data curation, A.S.; writing original draft preparation, A.T. and A.K.; writing—review and editing, S.I.T. and A.S.; supervision, N.V.Y.; All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.