Whether stretching should be used in conjunction with exercise is a much debated subject. Stretching has in a large part of dance training received a major stronghold. Recent research has shown that some forms of stretching can reduce performance. The purpose of this study is to compare the current research regarding stretching and how stretching is used in dance teaching. Based on the questions:

- What does the current research say about the effects of static and dynamic stretching?

- Which approach to stretching does a chosen group of dance pedagogues in Sweden have?

- What are the similarities and differences regarding stretching in current research and in the chosen group of dance pedagogues?

This is examined by doing a research review of stretching, a questionnaire survey for dance pedagogues and by doing a content analysis of this material, and finally a comparison of those results. Research and dance pedagogues agree about the positive effects of dynamic stretching and disagree when it comes to the effects of static stretching. Research agrees that it is negative for performance, while many dance pedagogues mean it is positive for performance. Just as the research results the dance pedagogues disagree about the effects of stretching. But generally, research do not consider stretching to be needed as much as dance pedagogues do.