THE EFFECT OF STATIC STRETCHING EXERCISES ON IMPROVING FLEXIBILITY AND SQUAT-JUMP HEIGHT IN UNDER-19 FOOTBALL PLAYERS

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of static stretching exercises (SSE) on flexibility and squat- jump height in under- 19 football players. A two- group pre- test- post-test experimental design was used. The research population comprised players of Chabab Kais Football Club, affiliated with the Regional Football League of Batna. The study sample consisted of 16 under- 19 football players, equally divided into an experimental group (n = 8) and a control group (n = 8). The experimental group performed SSE, whereas the control group engaged in small games. The intervention was implemented for about 10 min per session, three times per week, over twelve weeks during the main part of the training session. Flexibility and squat- jump height were assessed before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), with the corresponding pre- test score entered as a covariate. Adjusted means, adjusted mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CI), F statistics, p values, and partial eta squared (ηp ²) were reported. Both groups improved from pre- test to post- test. For squat- jump height, the experimental group increased from 13. 13.85 ± 1. 24 to 16. 16.73 ± 1. 21, whereas the control group increased from 12. 12.88 ± 0. 95 to 14. 15 ± 0. 87. After adjustment for baseline scores, ANCOVA revealed a significant effect of group on post- test squat- jump height, F(1, 13) = 47.73. 73, p <. .001, ηp ² =. .786. The adjusted means were 16. 31 for the experimental group and 14. 57 for the control group, with an adjusted mean difference of 1. 74 units (95% CI [1. 12, 2. 35]). For flexibility, the experimental group improved from 19. 19.38 ± 3. 74 to 26. 26.50 ± 4. 17, whereas the control group improved from 19. 19.00 ± 2. 39 to 20. 20.75 ± 2. 60. The ANCOVA showed a significant effect of group on post- test flexibility, F(1, 13) = 283. 04, p <. .001, ηp ² =. .956. The adjusted means were 26. 30 for the experimental group and 20. 95 for the control group, with an adjusted mean difference of 5. 34 units (95% CI [4. 65, 6. 03]). Under the conditions of the present study, the experimental group performing static stretching demonstrated significantly greater improvements in flexibility and squat- jump height than the control group performing small games. These findings suggest that incorporating static stretching into the main part of the training session may contribute to improvements in flexibility and squat- jump height in under- 19 football players.