IMPORTANCE OF STRETCHING IN INJURY PREVENTION IN ADOLESCENT FOOTBALL PLAYERS

Adolescencija predstavlja izrazito burno razdoblje kako fizičkih tako i psihičkih promjena. Jedno od tih promjena je i smanjenje fleksibilnosti uzrokovano nejednakom dinamikom rasta mišića i kostiju. Cilj ovog diplomskog rada je opisati ulogu i važnost istezanja u razvoju i održavanju fiziološkog opsega pokreta nogometaša adolescenata, kao mjeru prevencije njihovih ozljeda. S obzirom na postojeća saznanja o lokalizaciji najčešćih ozljeda u nogometu i zahtjevima nogometnog treninga tijekom adolescencije, obrađene su ozljede u kojima je među rizičnim faktorima uočen smanjen opseg pokreta. Kako ozljede imaju dugotrajne fizičke i psihičke posljedice na sportaše, posebno na mlade sportaše koji se nalaze u razdoblju adolescencije izuzetno je važna prevencija ozljeda. Kako bi prevencija ozljeda bila što efikasnija vrlo je važna motiviranost mladog sportaša nogometaša. U ovom radu predstavljen program za razvoj fleksibilnosti donjih ekstremiteta, pošto su oni najpodložniji ozljedama u nogometu, koji se sastoji od statičkih i dinamičkih vježbi istezanja, te od vježbi PNF metode. Bez obzira o kojem se tipu istezanja radi, trening mladih sportaša, posebice u fazi burnih fizioloških promjena, mora sadržavati vježbe istezanja kako bi se spriječilo moguće smanjenje opsega pokreta. Tako planiran trening će omogućiti nesmetan prelazak iz relativno lakšeg sustava treniranja u trening s većim volumenom opterećenja.Adolescence represents a very turbulent period of both physical and mental changes. One of these changes is a decrease in flexibility caused by unequal dynamics of muscle and bone growth. The aim of this study is to describe the role and importance of stretching in the development and maintenance of the physiological range of motion of adolescent football players, as a measure of prevention of their injuries. Given the existing knowledge about the localization of the most common injuries in football and the requirements of football training during adolescence, in this study ared described injuries in which a reduced range of motion was observed as risk factor. As injuries have long-lasting physical and psychological consequences for athletes, especially young athletes who are in adolescence, injury prevention is extremely important. In order for injury prevention to be as effective as possible, the motivation of a young football player is very important. This study presents a program for development of flexibility of lower extremities, as they are most susceptible to injuries in football, which consists of static and dynamic stretching exercises, and exercises of the PNF method. No matter what type of stretching it is, the training of young athletes, especially in the phase of turbulent physiological changes, must include stretching exercises to prevent a possible reduction in range of motion. Thus planned training will enable a smooth transition from a relatively easier training system to higher load training