Vibration and Stretching Effects on Flexibility and Explosive Strength in Gymnasts.

• Main Author: Kinser, Ann Marie
• Format: Others
• Published: Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University 2007
• Subjects: Vertical Jump; Gymnastics; Rate of Force Development; Peak Force; Exercise Physiology; Life Sciences; Physiology
• Online Access: https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/2071; https://dc.etsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3432&context=etd

The purpose of this study was to determine the acute effects of stretching and local vibration on flexibility and explosive strength in competitive female gymnasts. Flexibility was measured in the forward-split position and jump characteristics were recorded using a force plate. Analysis included flight time (FT), jump height (JH), peak force (PF), instantaneous forces, and rates of force development (RFDs). Randomly assigned and counterbalanced groups were: simultaneous vibration-stretching (VS) (n=22), stretching-only (n=7), and vibration-only (n=8). VS showed statistically greater measures of flexibility in both the right and left leg, favored and non-favored legs pre- versus post-treatment. Vibration-only group resulted in statistically greater right forward-split flexibility and non-favored leg flexibility. There were no statistical differences in JH, FT, PF, instantaneous forces, or RFDs in the VS, stretching-only, and vibration-only groups' pre- versus post-treatment tests. The conclusion was simultaneous vibration-stretching greatly increased flexibility while not altering explosive strength.