Alternative to traditional stretching methods for flexibility enhancement in well-trained combat athletes: local vibration versus whole-body vibration

Journal Title: Biology of Sport - Year 2015, Vol 32, Issue 3

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the effect of local vibration (LV) and whole body vibration (WBV) on lower body flexibility and to assess whether vibration treatments were more effective than traditionally used static and dynamic stretching methods. Twenty-four well-trained male combat athletes (age: 22.7 ± 3.3 years) performed four exercise protocols – LV (30 Hz, 4 mm), WBV (30 Hz, 4 mm), static stretching (SS), and dynamic stretching (DS) – in four sessions of equal duration 48 hours apart in a randomized, balanced order. During a 15-minute recovery after each protocol, subjects performed the stand and reach test (S&R) at the 15th second and the 2[sup]nd[/sup], 4[sup]th[/sup], 6[sup]th[/sup], 8[sup]th[/sup], 10[sup]th[/sup] and 15[sup]th[/sup] minute. There was a similar change pattern in S&R scores across the 15-minute recovery after each protocol (p = 0.572), remaining significantly elevated throughout the recovery. A significant main protocol effect was found for absolute change in S&R scores relative to baseline (p = 0.015). These changes were statistically greater in LV than WBV and DS. Changes in SS were not significantly different from LV, but were consistently lower than LV with almost moderate effect sizes. After LV, a greater percentage of subjects increased flexibility above the minimum detectable change compared to other protocols. Subjects with high flexibility (n = 12) benefited more from LV compared with other methods (effect size ≥ 0.862). In conclusion, LV was an effective alternative exercise modality to acutely increase lower extremity flexibility for well-trained athletes compared with WBV and traditional stretching exercises.

Authors and Affiliations

Cem Kurt

Keywords

Related Articles

The effect of estrogen on muscle damage biomarkers following prolonged aerobic exercise in eumenorrheic women

This study assessed the influence of estrogen (E[sub]2[/sub]) on muscle damage biomarkers [skeletal muscle - creatine kinase (CK); cardiac muscle - CK-MB] responses to prolonged aerobic exercise. Eumenorrheic women (n=10...

Differences in neuromuscular fatigue after aerobic and anaerobic running loads

The aim of the research was to establish some characteristics and differences in neuromuscular fatigue after different running loads. Seven well-trained runners performed two running tasks: an interval run of 5 x 300 m a...

Interferences in visuo-spatial sketch pad and kinesthetic span

Purpose of the study: In this experiment, I wanted to examine further the effects of interferences, which might occur when we have occupied visuo-spatial sketch pad and we try to build motor representation in kinesthetic...

STRATEGY OF VISUAL PROPRIOCEPTIVE CONTROL IN PATIENTS WITH INJURY TO THE ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT OF THE KNEE AND HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS (SOCCER PLAYERS)

Objective: Knee joint dysfunction resulting from injury to the anterior crucial ligament (ACL) is associated not only with mechanical joint instability but also with damage of ligamentous receptors responsible for the jo...

Changes of muscle torque after sprint and endurance training performed on the cycle ergometer

The aim of this work was the specification of the influence of the sprint and endurance training performed on the cycle ergometer on changes of muscle torque. Forty three students of the Academy of Physical Education in...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP59261
  • DOI -
  • Views 113
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Cem Kurt (2015). Alternative to traditional stretching methods for flexibility enhancement in well-trained combat athletes: local vibration versus whole-body vibration. Biology of Sport, 32(3), 225-233. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-59261