The acute effects of dynamic and static stretching exercises on some biomotoric properties of elite male handballers

Aim: The purpose of this study is to examine the acute effects of dynamic and static stretching exercises on some biomotoric properties of elite male handballers. Materials and Methods: 16 male handballers between the ages of 18-32 having professional sports licenses in Antalya Serik Municipality Sports Club (Serik Belediye Spor) participated voluntarily in the study after filling in the "Informed Consent Form". The mean age of the handballers, who participated in the study, was 20,13±4,86 years, the mean sports-age was 10,13±4,58 years, the mean height was 191,53±5,37 cm, the mean body weight was 89,33±10,57 kg and the mean Body Mass Index was 24,34±2,45 kg/m². In Isokinetic Muscle Force, Speed and Flexibility tests, 16 handballers were tested in random order in pre-test and post-test design in 3 different status, which were Without Stretching (WS), Static Stretching (SS), and Dynamic Stretching (DS) on 3 different days (with minimum 48-hour resting intervals) between 10.00-12.00. The statistical analyses of the data were made in the SPSS 20,0 Statistics Program. The "Matched t-test" was used in comparing the pre-test and post-test values obtained according to each stretching protocol; and the "One-Way Variance Analysis for Repetitive Measurements" was used to compare the different stretching protocols among each other. The data were evaluated according to "0,05" significance level. Findings: In the study, a statistically significant difference was determined between the pre-test and post-test values in the Without Stretching (WS) Group in the 30-m Speed Test (p<0,05). In the Sit-Stretch Flexibility Tests, a statistically significant difference was determined between the Pre-test and Post-test values of the Static Stretching (SS) and Dynamic Stretching (DS) Groups (p<0,05). A statistically significant difference was determined between the SS 90º/s External Rotation (ER), DS 90º/s Internal Rotation (IR) and External Rotation (ER) pre-test and post-test force values (p<0,05). A statistically significant difference was also detected between the SS 300º/s IR and ER pre-test and post-test force values (p<0,05). When the Stretching Exercise Protocols were compared with the Flexibility and 30-m Speed Test values, a statistically significant difference was detected (p<0,05). No statistically significant differences were determined in the comparison of the Stretching Exercise Protocols with each other in 90º/s and 300º/s IR and ER force values (p>0,05). Results: In the light of the findings obtained in the study, it was revealed that Static Stretching Exercises triggered some force losses as a result of its application before sportive activities that require force. However, the positive effects and contributions of Static Stretching Exercises on flexibility, which is a basic biomotoric property, must not be ignored. It must also be born in mind that Static Stretching Exercises contribute to the protection of injuries by providing positive effects on flexibility and by activating some neurogenic inhibition mechanisms. In addition to these, it was found in our study that Dynamic Stretching Exercises have positive contributions to performance, which is parallel to the findings reported in the literature. Combined warm-up methods that will be organized at a suitable intensity before trainings and competitions may prevent performance losses by balancing the negative effects of Stretching Protocols. In future studies, instead of conducting studies on which Stretching Exercise protocols are superior to the other one, it will no doubt contribute to positive science greatly to design studies on which rates these protocols should be combined. Key Words: Static Stretching, Dynamic Stretching, Isokinetic Muscle Force, Speed, Flexibility