Comparison of the effects of dynamic and static stretching applied to high scholl students on physical and physiological parameters

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of static and dynamic stretching on physical and physiological parameters in groups of male high school students aged between 15 and 16. A total of 36 male high school students voluntarily participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned into three groups: a static stretching group (n = 12), a dynamic stretching group (n = 12), and a control group (n = 12). At the beginning of the study, all participants were administered the following pre-tests: Sit-and-Reach Flexibility Test, T-Agility Test, Flamingo Balance Test, Vertical Jump Test, and 20-Meter Sprint Test. Following the pre-tests, the participants in the experimental groups took part in either static or dynamic stretching exercises during physical education classes, twice a week for a total duration of eight weeks. The control group continued with their regular physical education classes without participating in any specific stretching protocol. At the end of the eight-week period, the same tests were re-administered to all participants to obtain post-test data. Statistical analyses of the data were conducted using the SPSS 25 software package. Normality of the data distributions was tested using the Shapiro-Wilk test. For data sets that did not follow a normal distribution, skewness and kurtosis values were examined, and values within the ±2 range were considered to meet the assumption of normality. For normally distributed data, paired sample t-tests were used for pairwise comparisons, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for comparisons involving more than two groups. In cases where significant differences were identified, the LSD post hoc test was applied to determine the source of the differences. In the static stretching group, while vertical jump performance significantly decreased, improvements were observed in flexibility and balance parameters (p < 0.05). In the dynamic stretching group, significant improvements were found in vertical jump, flexibility, agility, and balance (p < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in the control group (p > 0.05). In conclusion, dynamic stretching exercises were found to produce more pronounced and positive effects on physical performance parameters such as flexibility, agility, balance, and vertical jump compared to static stretching. Accordingly, prioritizing dynamic stretching in physical education and training programs for adolescents may be an effective approach to enhancing physical performance. Key Words: Flexibility, Agility, Flamingo, Dynamic, Static.