The Effects of Static and Dynamic Stretching Exercises on Ankle Muscle Strength and Balance

Abstract

Different types of stretching exercises are utilized prior to physical exercises as a part of warming-up. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of the dynamic and static stretching exercises on ankle muscle strength and single-leg balance. Twenty healthy male participants, who were between 25 and 30 years old and did not have a previous ankle injury, were included in the study. This study is a cross-over designed study. Isokinetic ankle muscle strength tests and single-leg balance tests were applied to the participants after different intervention protocols (two intervention protocols and one control protocol) on 6 different days. With isokinetic testing, peak torque and average power were measured at 60/s and 120/s angular velocities. The tests were performed to the participants after static stretching, dynamic stretching and for a resting period without stretching. The order of stretching intervention was determined randomly. The Peak Torque results of the 120/s angular velocity isokinetic strength test after the dynamic stretching exercises were found significantly improved than those without stretching exercises (p<0.05). A significant difference was not determined in Average Power and Peak Torque at 60/s values (p>0.05). It was also shown that the dynamic stretching significantly enhanced the balance scores (p<0,05). In the current study, dynamic stretching exercises were found to have positive effects on isokinetic peak torque and balance scores. 

Keywords

• Muscle Strength,Postural Balance,Static Stretching,Dynamic Stretching

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