Investigation of the effect of stretching and balance exercise program on functional movements in 12-14 age group female volleyball players

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of an 8-weeks stretching and balance exercise program on the functional movements of athletes in 12-14 age group female volleyball players. 34 female volleyball players were included voluntary in the study (Experimental group n=17; age 13.70±0.46 years; body weight 63.09±6.08 kg; height 173.76±5.05 cm; Control group n=17; age 13.64±0.49 years; body weight 60.31±4.91 kg; height 171.02±6.62 cm). For 8 weeks, the volleyball players in the control group continued their routine training programs, while the volleyball players in the experimental group applied the stretching and balance exercise program in addition to their routine training programs. The height and body weight of the athletes were measured at the beginning of the study. Functional Movement Screen (FMS™) consisting of seven different functional movements was applied to the athletes at 0 and 8 weeks. Differences between groups were analyzed using the Independent Sample t-Test, and intra-group differences were analyzed using the Paired Sample t-Test. While there was no significant difference in any variable between the pre-tests of the experimental and control groups (p>0.05); Among the post-tests, statistically highly significant results were found in the variables of right rotary stability, left rotary stability and FMS™ total score (respectively: t=2.954, p=0.006; t=3.411, p=0.002; t=4.162, p=0.000). As a result, the total FMS™ scores of all the participants in the study were found above 14 points which was determined as the critical limit. This indicates that the participants have a low risk of injury. The 8-weeks stretching and balance exercise program, especially at younger ages, can contribute to the teaching and development of correct and effective movement patterns.