Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Education and Sports, Süleyman Demirel University Faculty of Sport Sciences, Isparta, Turkey | [b] Department of Coaching Training, Manisa Celal Bayar University Faculty of Sport Sciences, Manisa, Turkey | [c] Department of Coaching Training, Trakya University School of Kırkpınar Physical Education and Sports, Edirne, Turkey
Correspondence:
[*]
Corresponding author: Mahmut Alp, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Süleyman Demirel University Faculty of Sport Sciences, Isparta, Turkey. E-mail: mahmut.alp@windowslive.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Traditional warm-up exercises generally consist of submaximal aerobic running. Thereafter static or dynamic stretching exercises appropriate to the field are advised to keep the strength, which is the main component of physical fitness, stabilized. OBJECTIVE: To examine and compare the acute effects of static stretching (SS) and dynamic stretching (DS) on the knee and ankle flexor and extensor concentric (CON) isokinetic strength in well-trained male taekwondo athletes. METHODS: A total of 14 male taekwondo athletes who train at least 4 days a week, 90 min. a day, were tested for knee and ankle flexor and extensor isokinetic peak moment (PM) at 60 and 180∘/s before and 4 min. after three different stretching exercise sessions, namely, non-stretching (NS), SS, and DS, with 48-h rest intervals in a randomized crossover study design. RESULTS: None of the exercises: NS, SS and/or DS had any effect on the concentric strength of the knee and ankle flexor and extensor muscles. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that in well-trained taekwondo athletes who are accustomed to static or dynamic movement actions may be less suscePMible to stretching-induced strength deficit. Whether this conclusion may be extended to other sporting events requires further research.
