The effect of stretching during warming-up on the flexibility of junior handball players

Abstract

Aim. The purpose of the investigation was to examine in field conditions the acute effects of warming-up on lower extremity joints and trunk flexibility in junior team handball players. Methods. Forty-seven junior team handball players participated in this study forming an experiment (n=32) and a control group (n=15). The first group performed warming-up and stretching exercises (20 min) whereas the second group only performed warming-up exercises. Passive range of joint motion was determined in hip flexion, hip extension, hip abduction, knee flexion, ankle dorsiflexion and the trunk flexion using a goniometer and a flexometer. Results. The warming-up session induced a significantly increased range in all lower extremity joints and trunk flexion (p<0.01 to p<0.001) of both groups. Conclusion. Flexibility improves as a result of muscle elongation during warming-up or even through an incorporated pathetic stretching program.