%0 Journal Article
%T Chronic effect of static stretching performed during warm-up on flexibility in children. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2012v14n3p296
%A Diogo Henrique Constantino Coledam
%A Gustavo Aires de Arruda
%A Arli Ramos de Oliveira
%J Revista Brasileira de Cineantropometria e Desempenho Humano
%D 2012
%I Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina
%X The purpose of this study was to assess the chronic effect of static stretching performed during warm-up on flexibility in children. The study sample comprised 29 boys (mean age 8.58¡À0.63 years, height 1.27¡À0.07 m, weight 28.94¡À6.03 kg) and 29 girls (mean age 8.60¡À0.92 years, height 1.31¡À0.09 m, weight 31.30¡À8.56 kg). Participants were allocated into four groups: male control group (MCG, n=15); male intervention group (MIG, n=14); female control group (FCG, n=15); and female intervention group (FIG, n=14). The FIG and MIG took part in a 16-week intervention program that consisted of six stretching exercises performed during the warm-up period of physical education classes. Flexibility was assessed by the sit-and-reach test, which was performed at baseline and after 16 weeks of the intervention program. Factorial ANOVA for repeated measures was used with group, sex, and point in time (pre- or post-intervention) as the independent variables, followed by Tukey¡¯s post-hoc test. Sit-and-reach test performance improved significantly in both intervention groups (MIG, 24.89¡À5.01 cm at baseline vs. 29.07¡À4.51 cm post-intervention; FIG, 27.25¡À4.43 cm at baseline vs. 32.14¡À3.24 cm post-intervention; P<0.0001). There were no significant changes in either control group (MCG, 24.17¡À5.14 cm at baseline vs. 23,87¡À4,35 cm post-intervention; FCG, 28,60¡À6,07 cm at baseline vs. 28,97¡À6,38 cm post-intervention; P>0.05). Furthermore, the results revealed a significant group, time interaction (F=1.54, p<0.0001). The performance of stretching exercises during warm-up can increase flexibility in children.
%K Physical exercises
%K Physical fitness
%K School children
%K Physical exercises
%K Physical fitness
%K Schoolchildren
%U http://www.periodicos.ufsc.br/index.php/rbcdh/article/view/20968/21736