Acute Effects of Static Stretching, Active Warm Up, or Passive Warm Up on Flexibility of the Plantar Flexor Muscles of Iranian Professional Female Taekwondo Athletes

Abstract

AbstractObjectives: Muscle flexibility is an important component of injury prevention in athletes. Active warm-up, passive warm-up and static stretching are different methods for increasing flexibility. Little clinical evidence is available regarding which of these methods has a greater role in increasing flexibility. This study was performed to compare acute effects of the above methods on the flexibility of the plantar flexor muscles of professional female taekwondo athletes.Methods: Female professional taekwondo athletes were randomly classified into three intervention protocol groups [active warm-up, passive warm-up, or static stretching, respectively]. Passive and active range of motion [ROM] was measured using a universal goniometer before and immediately after performing each of the designated flexibility protocols.Results: Thirty female athletes participated, providing 10 subjects for each group. There were no differences in age or body mass index between groups. The static-stretching protocol sig...