Stretching exercise and soccer: effect of stretching on range of motion in the lower extremity in connection with soccer training.
Forty-eight players from four senior, male soccer teams were tested for ranges of motion (ROM) in the lower extremity before, immediately after, and 24 h after different forms of soccer training. The players were tested after regular soccer training (A), after soccer training with contract-relax stretching prior to beginning the session (B), and after soccer training with stretching added at the end of the program (C). Each training session lasted 1.5 h. In group A all six ROMs were decreased 24 h after the training. In group B the only change in ROM noted was an increase in knee flexion directly after the training. In group C there was an increase in hip extension, hip flexion, and knee flexion directly after the training.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012916:Soccer; D013177:Sports; D013997:Time Factors