Effects of a Six-Week Static Stretching Program on 40-yard Dash Time, Power, and Flexibility in Collegiate Level Lacrosse Players
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Kevin Cole
Document Type
Poster
Event Date
4-11-2014
Abstract
Static stretching routines may have the potential to increase power, flexibility, and speed. Therefore the purpose of this study is to determine whether or not performing static stretching over a six-week period will improve 40-yard dash time, vertical jump height, and range of motion in lower extremities for collegiate men’s lacrosse players. To test for this relationship, this study implemented a six-week static stretching routine for male collegiate lacrosse players. Participants in the experimental group were instructed to perform a lower-leg stretching protocol three times a week while the control group did not participate in any stretching. Speed was assessed via a 40-yard dash, power was assessed via a vertical-jump test, and flexibility assessed via a sit and reach test and joint flexibility via goniometer measurements. It was hypothesized that improved power, flexibility, and speed would be seen in the experimental group (six-week static stretching routine) compared to the control group (no stretch). Following the six-week experimental condition treatment, no significant results were found between the two groups. Main effects were found in the vertical jump (p=0.052, pre: 25.5±2.7, post: 24.6±2.9) and the 40-yard dash (p=0.000, pre:5.20±.29, post:5.31±.26). Sit-and-reach showed marginally significant results with an increase in flexibility for the experimental group and a decrease in flexibility in the control group. These results demonstrated the benefit to flexibility a longitudinal static stretching routine has as well as demonstrated that longitudinal static stretching does not improve performance on high power activities.
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