Acute Effects Of Different Stretching Durations on Vertical Jump Performance in Rhythmic Gymnasts

Abstract

Research background. Stretching is believed to enhance performance, reduce injury, and be an effective means of
developing flexibility and alleviating muscular soreness (Shellock, Prentice, 1985; Brandy et al., 1997). A review of the
current literature shows that the results of many studies conflict with others; some report that static stretching diminishes
vertical jum (VJ) performance (Cornwell et al., 2001; McNeal, Sands, 2003; Wallmann et al., 2005), whereas others
report that static stretching has no effect at all on VJ (Church et al., 2001; Power et al., 2004; Unick et al., 2005).
Research aim, was to examine the effects of different durations of stretching on performance and to find the
stretching durations that affect the performance negatively or positively.
Research methods. The subjects of the study were 27 rhythmic gymnasts with the mean age of 10.00 ± 1.2
years. The subjects as a whole group participated in two different stretching programs on nonconsecutive days to
eliminate the effect of individual differences on the performance. On the first day, athletes were asked to warm up
by 5 minute jogging after the pretest was administered. The posttest measured the vertical jump performance after
athletes stayed inactive for 20 minutes. They rested for a day and on the third day, their performance was measured
again. After the 5 minute warm-up period, 10 repetitions of 15 seconds static stretching exercises for hip flexor,
hamstring and gastrocnemius muscle groups were followed by the posttest. Moreover, on the fifth day 30-second
exercises were repeated five times on the same type of muscles. The participants in this investigation were tested
in individual vertical jump performances following warm-up only, warm-up plus 15 seconds static stretching, and
warm-up plus 30 seconds.
Research results. Results of a one-way repeated-measures ANOVA indicated a nonsignificant difference for
vertical jump performance (F = 2.052; p > 0.05).
Discussion and conclusions. Stretching exercises are referred in rhythmic gymnastics more intensively than
other sports. Relevant literature displays fewer stretching repetitions and durations. These durations and repetitions
may not be realistic and practical for rhythmic gymnasts. Therefore, the durations and repetitions utilized in this
study are considered more appropriate for rhythmic gymnastics trainings.
Rhythmic gymnasts may make use of duration and repetitions determined in this study that will not affect their
performance.

Keywords: anaerobic power, gymnastics, exercise.