Effects of Static and Dynamic Stretching Exercises on Unilateral Hamstring to Quadriceps Strength Ratio

Abstract

Traditional warm-up in sport contents the stretching. The stretching effects are a frequent subject of research in physical education, but the results are conflicting. The aim of current study is to check how acute stretching (static and dynamic) influences to the strength of hamstring and quadriceps, as well as their mutual ratio. These variables were monitored at different velocities of contraction (60 and 240º/s). On the sample of 10 students in good health, modern isokinetic diagnostics (4000 Hz the sampling rate) was applied. Higher strength values in both muscle groups were measured during slow contraction, while HRQ values were higher during fast contractions. The results show that the muscle strength of hamstring and quadriceps can be increased by applying acute stretching (p p > 0.05). The same conclusions were drawn for both low and high contraction velocities.