The Acute Effects of Static and Dynamic Stretching Exercises on Dynamic Balance Performance

Abstract

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effects of static and dynamic stretching exercises on dynamic balance. Materials and Methods: Sixty-seven recreational athletes (33 males aged 20.5 2.3 yrs) and 34 females aged 21.4 3.0 yrs) were tested in three different protocols including the control condition, static stretching, and dynamic stretching exercises on three separate days, 48-72 h apart. Before and after each protocol, double limb dynamic balance was tested on an isokinetic balance system. Each protocol involved warm-up for 5 min using the bicycle ergometer at 50-60 rpm and 70 W. Stretching exercises were applied bilaterally on four different lower extremity muscle groups. For the control condition, after warm-up, subjects rested for 12 min and 45 s. The time period between the two dynamic balance measurements was equal for each protocol. Results: All three protocols positively affected dynamic balance performance (p<0.01). There was no significant difference between effects of protocols on dynamic balance (p>0.05). Conclusions: Static stretching after warm-up, dynamic stretching after warm-up, and warm-up alone have positive effect on dynamic balance. Static or dynamic stretching after warm-up do not potentiate positive effect of warm-up alone on dynamic balance.