The Acute Effect of a Static Stretching Protocol on Selected Indices of Physical Fitness in Young Soccer Players

Abstract

Soccer is an intensive sport that requires high levels of strength, power, speed, agility and flexibility. During the last decades, several studies report that the application of prolonged static or dynamic stretching protocols may affect soccer players’ performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effect of a static stretching protocol on flexibility, on vertical jumping ability and speed of young soccer players. The sample consists of 15 young soccer players (Mage 20.86 ± 1.19). The participants performed a stretching protocol that last-ed about 10 minutes (40 seconds per stretching exercise) and included static stretching exercises, emphasizing on the muscle groups of the lower-limbs (quadriceps, gluteus, gastrocnemius, soleus, hamstrings, etc.). Before and immediately after the application of the static stretching protocol flexibility (sit and reach test), vertical jumping ability (squat jump-SJ and counter movement jump-CMJ) and speed (20m sprint) were measured. Paired sample t-tests were used to analyze the data. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Paired sample t-tests indicated a statistically significant increase in flexibility (t14 = -5.96, p < 0,001) after the application of the static stretching protocol, while the squat jump (SJ) (t14 = 3.19, p < 0.01) and the countermovement jump (CMJ) (t14 = 4.36, p = 0.001) were significantly decreased. Finally, speed of young soccer players remained stable following the com-pletion of the stretching protocol (t14 = -1.79, p = 0.09). In conclusion, it seems that a static stretch protocol with a total duration of 10 minutes (40 seconds per stretching exercise) increases flexibility, reduces vertical jumping ability, and does not affect speed in young soccer players.