title: The effects of regular supplementary flexibility training on physical fitness performance of young high-level soccer players.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study examined the effect of regular static flexibility training on selective physical fitness components in young high-level soccer-players.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty three players (mean±SD) were randomly assigned into flexibility (Flex) and control (Con) groups (Flex group: N.=12, age 16.1±0.6 years; height 1.71±.06 m; body mass 62.4±7.5 kg; peak oxygen uptake [V̇O2peak] 55.8±4.1 ml.kg-1.min-1; Con group: N.=11, age 15.9±0.6 years; height 1.73±.07 m; body mass 61.5±5.6 kg; V̇O2peak 54.2±5.2 mL.kg-1.min-1). The Flex group performed a specific static stretching training-program before and after each training session, for four weeks (4 days/week). The two groups performed two series of anthropometrics and physical-fitness tests prior to and following the application of the stretching training performed on the Flex group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were initially no main treatment effects on aerobic capacity (V̇O2peak), on 10-m sprint and on Broad-jump. However, sit-and-reach flexibility, 35m sprint and agility (P<0.05) performance, and when results corrected with Δ (magnitude of changes), Δ flexibility, Δ 35m-sprint, Δ agility and Δ Broad jump (P<.05) scores were significantly improved in Flex group compared with Con group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present results suggest that regular specific supplementary application of static stretching training is effective in improving flexibility, 35-m speed, explosiveness and agility performance in young high-level soccer-players.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus - hadjicharalambous.m@unic.ac.cy.
authors.forename: Marios
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hadjicharalambous
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D054874:Athletic Performance; D015444:Exercise; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running; D012916:Soccer