Abstract
Introduction: the goal of stretching can vary; such diversify aims as enhancing performance, preventing injury and recovering from following injury. Objective: The aim of study is to examine 80 male football project players to determine; if heat applied stretching would better improvement in flexibility or not. Method: To achieve the intended objective randomized experimental design was implemented. Players who have been volunteered and fulfilled the research inclusion criteria are recruited and randomly grouped in to four equal sections. The first group was control group and did not perform any treatment, whereas the rest 3 experimental groups followed six weeks intervention program (3 days per week). SEG (Stretching Exercise Group only) engaged in stretching exercises only, on the other hand the remaining groups HP=Heat Packs Group and CP=Cold Packs Group undertaking thermal interventions (hot and cold packs respectively) for 20 minutes before performing the stretching exercise. Cold exposure was examined to see if it would have the opposite effect. On the study sit and reach test used as a standard measuring tool. For instance to inspect actual changes in groups, and also paired t-test was used to compare mean value, to this end the difference between groups was tested dependent t-test. The analysis conducted by SPSS -V 25 and in commenting on the analysis results, significance and rated at p< .05 level. Result: Except Control Group, all experimental groups produced significant improvement in flexibility; however interventions produced different results, the mean Pre/Post differences and (p<.05) were .81 (p<.03) for Group two, 2.2 (p<.01) for Group three and .5.9 (p<.04) for Group four. When compared with groups, the Group which received heat packs prior to stretching obtained the greatest improvement in flexibility, which resulted in applied heat. In line to the result the investigator noticed heat applied stretching exercise is the most effective for promoting flexibility and cold exposure may limit flexibility improvement, but it wasn’t seen having the opposite effect. All in all these finding seem to support and endorse the use of heat as an adjunct with stretching techniques in improving flexibility.
Highlights
Stretching is widely used by football players, trainers, coaches, physicians and therapists as a means to maintain, or restore muscle flexibility [1]
These results agree with those [44] stated that heat increases range of motion and flexibility by enabling glycogen resynthesis and help muscle recovery from injury
Four studies found that hamstring heating increased knee extension [12, 17, 43] the largest increase from baseline was an MD of 8.8 degrees.27 this study [12] reported significant increases in range of movement (ROM) compared with an untreated control (MD, 7.8deg [95% CI, 5.42e10.18])
Summary
Stretching is widely used by football players, trainers, coaches, physicians and therapists as a means to maintain, or restore muscle flexibility [1]. Stretching used as part of physical fitness programs, because it has thought to be positively influence on physical performance and injury prevention. Numerous studies [1, 3,4,5,6,7] have been conducted to investigate the effectiveness of stretching. The goal of stretching can vary, including such diversify aims as enhancing sports performance, preventing injury, recovering from following injury, and preventing muscle soreness [8, 9]. Stretching can be categorized as active or passive, static or dynamic, and acute or chronic [10]. Altering tissue temperature can have a range of therapeutic effects through changes in metabolism, nerve transmission, hemodynamics, and mechanical properties [11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
