Acute Effects of Static and Dynamic Stretching on Jump Performance of Volleyball Players

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the acute effects of different stretching methods on jump performance of volleyball players. 11 female volleyball players (age: 24.36 ± 5.10 years; height: 177.81 ± 7.30 cm; weight: 68.17 ± 11.69 kg; body mass index (BMI): 21.46 ± 2.56 kg.m-2; sports age: 12.72 ± 5.31 years) have participated voluntarily in this study. The players have applied three different stretching protocols such as control (no stretching), static and dynamic stretching on non-consecutive days. The protocols have included 5 minutes general warm-up, 1 minute rest, 30-second stretch program for each muscle group (control group not included), 1 minute rest and countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ) and standing long jump (SLJ) tests. Friedman analysis has been used for data analysis. Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test has been implemented in order to determine the difference among groups. At the end of the study, a significant difference has been found between control and dynamic stretching groups with regard to static stretching groups in view of CMJ and SJ performance findings (p <0.05). It has been found that there is a statistically significant difference in the test averages of dynamic stretching group compared to static stretching group in view of SLJ performance findings (p <0.05). This study shows that static stretching practices reduce the jumping performance of the players. As a result, it can be suggested that trainers should use dynamic stretching methods before the trainings on jumping properties containing explosive movements.