Investigation of time dependent change in anaerobic performance after acute stretching

The purpose of this study was to investigate of time dependent change in anaerobic performance after acute stretching. Twenty six male amateur soccer player volunteered to participate in this study. Participants were assigned randomly three groups (control group (CG); n=9, 15 seconds (s.) group (15SG); n=8, 30 s. group (30SG); n=9). Static stretching exercises were performed to both experimental groups. Static stretching exercises for each muscle groups were performed 8 times for duration of 15 s. to 15SG and 4 times for duration of 30 s. to 30SG. CG didn't performed any stretching exercise. Anaerobic powers and 30 meters (m.) sprint performances of participants were determined before static stretching, immediately after, 5th, 10th, 15th, 30th and 45th minutes (min.) after static stretching protocol. One way ANOVA for repeated measures was used for statistical analysis of data. In result of the study, significant decreases (p<0,05) were found in anaerobic power of both experimental groups with respect to pre-test. This decrease continued for 30 min. in 15SG and 45 min. in 30SG. Significant increases were found in 30 m. sprint time of three groups with respect to pre-test. There were significant increases at 30th and 45th sprint time of CG, 15th, 30th and 45th sprint time of 15SG and immediately after stretching, 5th, 30th and 45th sprint time of 30SG. As a result it has been found that 15 s. and 30 s. acute static stretching impaired anaerobic performance. The adverse effects of 15 s. static stretching continue less duration on anaerobic performance. Key Words: 30 meter sprint performance, anaerobic power, vertical jump performance, static stretching.