SUMMARY
The
effect of different
duration
passive stretching sessions as well as the effect of multiple
stretching sessions in acute stretching protocols has not yet been
thoroughly examined. The purpose of the present study was to
investigate the effect of stretching sessions differing in duration, as
well as the effect of multiple stretching sessions on the lower
extremities range of motion (ROM) in a set total amount of time spent
in stretching of junior soccer players. The subjects comprised of
thirteen junior soccer players aged 14.3 ±1.3 years who
participated in
four different passive stretching protocols. All protocols lasted for a
total of 60 seconds each, however, each protocol differed in the
duration of the stretches performed. Three of the stretching protocols
consisted of multiple stretches of different duration each and the
forth protocol comprised of continuous stretching, serving as the
control protocol. ROM was determined during hip flexion, extension, and
abduction, knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion for both the right and
the left side of the body, using a flexometer and a goniometer. A mixed
within - and between - subjects analysis of variance (ANOVA) with
repeated measures revealed similar ROM values between both sides for
all the examined joints. No significant differences were observed among
the stretching protocols. Further statistical analysis of the data
indicated significant improvements after stretching exercises in all
flexibility protocols. These findings suggest that one 60-second
passive stretch on the lower extremities muscles produced the same
effect as two 30-second, four 15-second and twelve 5-second stretches
over a single flexibility training session in junior soccer players.
Key words: Flexibility, Stretching duration, Range of motion, junior soccer players. |