Investigation of stretch shortening cycle of girls and boys according to maturation and training levels

MAVİLİ C. Investigation of Stretch Shortening Cycle of Girls and Boys According to Maturation and Training Levels.Hacettepe University Graduate School of HealthSciences, M.Sc. Thesis in SportSciences and Technology, Ankara, 2021.This study was planned to examine the natural stretch shortening cycle (SSC) of children and adolescents according to their biological maturation and traning status. 141 boys and 120 girls (Age: 13.1±2.0 and 12.7±2.6 years old, Height: 12.7±2.6 and 154.1±12.6 cm, Body Weight: 59.6±12.2kg), summing up to 261participants were examined in the study.According to gender and training status, the participants were divided into regular training (M=65, F=59) and non training groups. (M=76, F=61). Participants were grouped according to their participation in weekly training and activities. After the anthropometric measurements, the biological maturation status of the participants was calculated with the Mirwald equation.The biological maturation status of each participant was determined by peak height velocity (PHV) measurements and examined in 3 periods. (Pre PHV n=87, Mid PHV n=70, Post PHV n=104). For the SSC measurements, Participants were given a 20-meter speed test and a drop jump (DJ) test. The drop jump test was started from a height of 20 cm and continued by increasing the height by 5 cm. The DJ test was initiated at 20-cm drop height and the height was increased by 5 cm after each DJ. The drop height in which reactive strength index score reached its highest value was recorded as ODH. Contact times (CT) and jump height (JH) were recorded as test scores of DJ test.Participants made two attempts and the best score was recorded. The obtained data was evaluated with "three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)" statistical test. Tukey's multiple comparison test was used to investigatedifferences between the groups. The statistical significance level for this study was determined as p<0.05. As a result of the statistical analysis, significant differences were observed in the 0-5 m. (p<0.05), 5-10 m.(p<0.001) and 0-20 m. times (p<0.001) as well as interactions between training, gender and maturation were found to be significant (p<0,019). Statistically significant differences were observed in the DJ test, in which the contact times were significantly different as well as the training and maturation interactions (p<0.005). Significant differences were also observed in JH parameter for training, gender and PHV values (p<0.001). RSI parameter; Significant differences were observed in training and PHV values (p<0.001), gender and interactions (p<0.005). As a result, the SSC; It can be used more effectively by more mature athletes. The training factor positively affects the SSC and gender differences are observed. Key Words: Stretch shortening cycle, jump, sprint, maturation rate, gender, training effect, child and sport