The Effect on Flexibility and a Variety of Performance Tests of the Addition of 4 Weeks of Soleus Stretching to a Regular Dynamic Stretching Routine in Amateur Female Soccer Players

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 4 weeks of soleus stretching on ankle flexibility and dynamic balance, as well as selected monitoring and performance tests in soccer. Forty-five healthy female soccer players were randomly divided into a regular stretching group, a regular stretching group with soleus stretching, and a control group. Dynamic stretching protocols were performed for 4 weeks during three sessions per week as part of routine exercises. The regular group stretched three muscle groups (i.e., gastrocnemius, quadriceps, and hamstrings), while the regular + soleus group also stretched the soleus muscle. Before and after the stretching intervention, the ankle range of motion test, Y-balance test, drop jump test, dynamic knee valgus test, and Illinois Agility Running Test were performed. Ankle ROM, Y-balance, and DJ significantly improved in both intervention groups compared to controls. Only the regular + soleus group showed improvement in the Illinois Agility Running Test. Additionally, athletes performing the additional soleus stretching had greater improvements in ankle ROM and DJ but not in DKV or Y-balance. The results showed that adding soleus stretching into regular protocols can provide benefits for female soccer players in terms of performance parameters.

The effects of two different fatigue protocols on movement quality during anticipated and unanticipated change of directions in female soccer players

“…On the second day, participants performed a warm-up program specifically designed for the lower extremities, including dynamic stretching exercises [ 31 ]. They also kicked a ball as far as possible to determine their leg dominance [ 32 ]. Kinematic variables were measured in two dimensions using Kinovea software (version 0.8.15 for Windows, Bordeaux, France).…”

Effect of Digital Therapeutics on Range of Motion, Flexibility, Dynamic Balance, Satisfaction, and Adherence: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The research procedures were as follows (Figure 1): The stretching program was conducted over 4 weeks [35], and pre-training was conducted before the intervention began. No warm-up was performed to eliminate potential interactions between warm-up, stretching, and measurements [36].…”

“…The same researcher conducted all measurements and evaluations to reduce the error range. Measurements were taken for the toe touch test [40], range of motion (ROM) [16,35], Y-balance test [35], and straight leg raise (SLR) [41]. Exercise participation was assessed through exercise performance record papers and a video viewing record.…”

“…A trial was classified as invalid if the participant removed their hands from their hips, did not return to the starting position, applied sufficient weight through the reach foot to increase reach distance, placed the reach foot on the ground on either side of the line or tube, raised or moved the stance foot during the test, or kicked the plate with the reach foot to gain more distance. If an invalid trial occurred, the data were deleted, and the participant repeated the trial [35,42] (Figure 5). The Y-balance test measures dynamic balance and flexibility in the lower extremities.…”

Impact of Utilizing Visual Stimuli (BlazePod) on Agility, Vertical jump, and Visual Reaction Time Speed in Under-19 Volleyball Players

“…"Reaction time" is the first factor to consider; it is the interval of time between being exposed to an auditory, visual, tactile, or kinesthetic stimulus and experiencing the initial muscular reaction. The second element is "movement time" which is the amount of time spent moving [15], the period of time between when we observe something and when we react to it is referred to as response time or reaction time. It is the capacity to recognize, interpret, and react to stimuli.…”