Flexibility training in preadolescent female athletes: Acute and long-term effects of intermittent and continuous static stretching. Issue 13 (3rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Donti, Οlyvia; Papia, Konstantina; Toubekis, Argyris; Donti, Anastasia; Sands, William A.; Bogdanis, Gregory C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of sports sciences. Volume 36:Issue 13(2018)
• Page Start: 1453
• Page End: 1460
• Publication Date: 2018-07-03
• Subjects: Children -- range of motion -- hamstrings -- gymnastics; Sports -- Periodicals; Sports -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 612.044
• DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2017.1397309
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-0414

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study compared the acute and long-term effects of intermittent and continuous static stretching training on straight leg raise range of motion (ROM). Seventy-seven preadolescent female gymnasts were divided into a stretching (n = 57), and a control group (n = 20). The stretching group performed static stretching of the hip extensors of both legs, three times per week for 15 weeks. One leg performed intermittent (3 × 30 s with 30 s rest) while the other leg performed continuous stretching (90 s). ROM pre- and post-stretching was measured at baseline, on weeks 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and after 2 weeks of detraining. ROM was increased during both intermittent and continuous stretching training, but remained unchanged in the control group. Intermittent stretching conferred a larger improvement in ROM compared to both continuous stretching and control from week 3, until the end of training, and following detraining (p = 0.045 to 0.001 and d = 0.80 to 1.41). During detraining, ROM after the intermittent protocol decreased (p = 0.001), while it was maintained after the continuous protocol (p = 0.36). Acute increases in ROM following the intermittent stretching were also larger than in the continuous (p = 0.038). Intermittent stretching was more effective than continuous, for both long-term and acute ROM enhancement in preadolescent female athletes.