The comparison of selected methods for muscle flexibility development

Abstract

The aim of this pilot experiment was to
compare the effect of resistance training
(rt) versus static stretching (ss) on
hamstring flexibility. Study was conducted
on 18 volunteers (n=18), cadet hockey
players with average age 14y. Hamstring
flexibility was measured by thomayers test
and both active and passive range of
motion (rom) of hip joint. After prestesting
mentioned parameters, volunteers were
randomized to rt group (n= 10) and ss
gorup (n= 8). Both groups were given 2
hamstring exercises, perfmored in full rom.
After 6 weeks of following exercise
protocol, both groups were tested. Then
four- week training pause was
implemented, with pretesting players
afterwards. Volunteers were swapped to
another group, exercising for next 6 weeks.
Last measurements were done at the end.
All players improved significantly in both
active and passive hip flexion, ignoring the
methods. Both methods noticed
improvements in every measurment,
however, not all of them were statistically
significant. Results of ss group were
superior to st group. The ss group noticed
significant changes in every observed
parameter, except for active flexion of the
left hip. The st group observed significant
changes in passive flexion of the right hip,
both active and passive flexion of the left
hip. Results show, that resistance training
might be beneficial for improving
hamstring flexibility of young hockey
players. Major limitation of this study were
the sample size and duration of
experiment. More research needs to be
done to confirm or disprove our results.