Fifteen seconds is better than five, though five is still better than nothing when it comes to improving flexibility. A new study out of the U.K. suggests significant benefits from holding each stretch at least 15 seconds as opposed to five seconds or not stretching at all. Twenty-four college students (average age 20) participated in the five-week training study. Those in the five-second group performed each stretch nine times, while those in the 15-second group did each stretch three times. While both groups improved their passive range of motion, those who held their stretches longer showed greater improvements in active range of motion as well.

Source: British Medical Journal, 1999; 33: 259-263

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