The effects of dynamic and static stretching exercises during the warm up in young men's soccer players on performance

Study Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of young footballers after warming in a six-week training program by applying their static and dynamic stretching exercises in different groups. Material & Methods: 16 voluntary footballers playing in young amateur football league have taken part in the study (17,62±1,02 age, 176,25±0,072 cm height, 67,67±13,27 kg weight). In the first phase, before the six-week training program, the sit and reach tests of sportsmen; in the second phase, their speed ability are measured every other day. After these measurements, 6-week training program is applied 3 days in a week. Following this period, in the first phase the sit and reach tests of sportsmen; in the second phase their level of speed and in the third phase the features related to the speed ability are measured every other day. Results: Looking at the data derived from the study, it is seen that there is an increase in the sit and reach levels of sportsmen who are in the static stretching group but also they perform worse in speed compared to those who are in dynamic stretching group. When it comes to dynamic stretching group, it has been founded that they have had no improvement in sit and reach tests yet they are more positive in speed abilities than the ones in static stretching group. Conclusions: According to the result of this study, it can be said that sportsmen will be affected more positively from dynamic stretching exercises for the activities requiring power and trainings must include more dynamic stretching exercises. Key Word: flexibility, dynamic stretch, static stretch, flexibility during warming.