Acute effects of dynamic stretching exercises on vertical jump performance and flexibility

This study was conducted to examine the acute effects of dynamic stretching exercises (DSE) on vertical jump height (VJH), muscle strength (MS), and flexibility in athletes and sedentary individuals.

The study included 28 athletes and 28 sedentary. Athlete and sedentary groups were equally distributed into two groups DSE group of 3 and 6 min. At the beginning of the trial, VJH, MS, and flexibility were measured. VJH was measured using the Vertimetric Vertical Jump, was assessed using the Lafayette Manual Muscle Tester, and flexibility was evaluated using a sit-and-reach bench. Both groups jogged for 5 min. One group performed a 3-min DSE, while the other group performed a 6-min DSE. Then, all measurements were repeated immediately after, at 5 min, 10 min, and 15 min (MS was measured only before and immediately after stretching sessions).

In our study comparing athletes and sedentary participants, athletes exhibited significant differences in flexibility and VJH, regardless of the duration of stretching. For the 3-min DSE group, flexibility increased immediately after stretching and remained consistent. In the 6-min DSE group, flexibility continued to increase for up to 5 min after DSE, and then it plateaued. When comparing the VJH of athletes in the 3-min and 6-min DSE groups, significant differences were found at 5 and 15 min after DSE.

It is thought that including DSE in warm-up protocols will positively affect VJH and flexibility. Six-minute DSE increased strength in sedentary but did not affect strength in athletes.