Objective/Context:To examine the effects of static and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching in Special Olympics athletes and their coaches on sit-and-reach performance.Design/Participants:Repeated-measures ANOVA with Scheffé post hoc analyses on 2 groups: Special Olympics athletes (n = 18, mean age = 15.7) and their coaches without mental retardation (n = 44, mean age = 22.2).Intervention/Outcome Measures:Stretching performance was measured in centimeters using a sit-and-reach flexibility box, examining 2 series of 3 stretches. For both groups, the first set of 3 stretches was performed in the following order: baseline, static, PNF. Three to 4 weeks later, the order of the stretches was reversed: baseline, PNF, static.Results:PNF stretching improved performance regardless of stretching order after baseline and static measures. Static stretching improved performance only from baseline.Conclusions:Individuals of various ages and cognitive abilities can apparently perform and benefit from PNF stretching.