The effects of different stretching durations on performance in gymnasts

This study was done to determine the effects of different durations of stretching onperformance and to determine the appropriate stretching durations by confirming theeffect of negative or positive stretching performance. It was included in the study 27gymnasts whose mean age was 10.00±1.2 years. All subjects were applied, in notconsecutive days, static stretching with 15 seconds, 10 repetitions and 30 seconds, 5repetitions. Pre and post stretching exercises, their performance, flexibility, leg andback muscle strength were evaluated by Bosco vertical jump test, sit and reach test,isometric muscle strength test respectively. We found significant decrease invertical jump test after 30 seconds static stretching, and significant increase inflexibility tests (p<0.05). We couldn?t find any significant difference in leg and backmuscle strength pre and post exercise (p>0.05). As a conclusion we found that thestretching which was applied with 30 seconds decreased the vertical jumpperformance. We suggest that the stretching with 15 seconds can be applied toathletes for not effecting the athlete?s performance negatively and to prevent thesports injuries.Keywords: Gymnastics, stretching, stretching duration, performance