title: Acute effect of different stretching methods on flexibility and jumping performance in competitive artistic gymnasts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effects of 3 different warm up methods of stretching (static, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, and stretching exercises on a Vibration platform) on flexibility and legs power-jumping performance in competitive artistic gymnasts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen competitive artistic gymnasts were recruited to participate in this study. Subjects were exposed to each of 3 experimental stretching conditions: static stretching (SS), proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching (PNF), and stretching exercises on a Vibration platform (S+V). Flexibility assessed with sit and reach test (S & R) and jumping performance with squat jump (SJ) and counter movement jump (CMJ) and were measured before, immediately after and 15 min after the interventions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences were observed for flexibility after all stretching conditions for S+V (+1.1%), SS (+5.7%) and PNF (+6.8%) (P=0.000), which remained higher 15 min after interventions (S+V (1.1%), SS (5.3%) and PNF (5.5%), respectively (P=0.000).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PNF stretching increased flexibility in competitive gymnasts, while S+V maintained jumping performance when both methods were used as part of a warm-up procedure.
authors.affiliation: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science Dafne, Greece - gdallas@phed.uoa.gr.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dallas
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smirniotou
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tsiganos
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tsopani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Cagno
authors.forename: Ch
authors.initials: Ch
authors.lastname: Tsolakis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006173:Gymnastics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises / Q000379:methods*; D018583:Pliability; D055815:Young Adult