ACUTE EFFECT OF QUADRICEPS PASSIVE-STATIC STRETCHING ON KINEMATIC VARIABLES DURING LANDING

Abstract

Stretching exercises are a widespread preparation practice before sport activities that involve landings. Therefore the purpose of this study was to verify the instantaneous effect of quadriceps passive-static stretching on kinematic variables of landings after a fall of different heights (30, 50 e 70 cm). Thirty male physical education students were divided into an experimental (with previous stretching exercises) and a control group (without previous stretching exercises) and landed after falls from a box with 30 cm, 50 cm and 70 cm height. In the experimental group alterations of the movement technique after stretching were found for the landings of 50 and 70 cm. These changes of kinematic parameters seem to be an adaptation of the motor system in order to optimize the absorption of the ground reaction forces during landings.