Flexibility responses to different stretching methods in young elite basketball players.

Introduction: The aims of study were: 1) to verify the effectiveness of different stretching methods and training; 2) to compare the effects with only training on the flexibility of joints in basketball players.

Methods: 30 males basketball players (age: 17±1yrs; BMI: 23.4±3.1), divided into 2 groups (15 experimental group - EG - and 15 control group, CG), participated to study. EG performed 5 different stretching method: passive stretching, active stretching, postural protocol, PNF and dynamic stretching. To assess differences (p<0.05) between groups, an ANOVA was applied to anthropometrics characteristic (age; height; weight and BMI) and flexibility performances (leg raise in a supine position; forward trunk bending). ANOVA for repeated measurements was conducted to asses differences in each group with time (i.e., pre-post).

Results: Results showed a variation linked to time (F=21.9; p<0.0001) and an effect of the treatment of the leg raise in a supine position test (F=25.1; p<0.0001). Also in flexion test of trunk, the average values could be linked to time of measurement (F=9.96; p<0.0001) and group (F=8.65; p<0.0001).

Conclusion: The results suggest that a specific different stretching protocol should be used in different part of body to offer performance benefit and decreasing of the incidents of injuries.

Level of evidence: IV.