Effectiveness of pre-exercise stretching on a judo fitness test

Thesis (M.S., Kinesiology (Exercise Science)) -- California State University, Sacramento, 2012.Acute static stretching has been shown to cause detrimental effects on athletic performance (McHugh & Cosgrove, 2010; Shrier, 2004). Judo, a descendent of jujitsu, usually incorporates a period of stretching into the warm-up before physical activity (Callister et al., 1991). It is unknown whether static stretching is superior to a dynamic or a judo specific warm-up. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of three stretching protocols over 4 weeks prior to performing a Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT).\ud Methods\ud Eight healthy judo athletes volunteered for this study, all holding brown or black belts. Athletes attended 1 familiarization and 3 data collection sessions over 7 weeks where judoists performed the stretching protocols and completed the SJFT. Statistical comparisons were made between heart rate and number of throws on the test to determine the fitness levels as well as performance with stretching.\ud vi\ud Results\ud No statistical significances were found between warm-ups, heart rate, and throws; although there was a significant downward trend in the fitness index for static stretching. The decrease in index score with static stretching indicated better performance. The main effect for warm-up on index score was (p=0.06). The main effect for heart rate on time was significant throughout the test, with (p=0.0000). The main effect for number of throws per round was also significant throughout the test, (p=0.0000), with no interaction effects for any of the variables tested.\ud Conclusion\ud Recently, static stretching has received negative attention from researchers regarding performance and stretch-induced impairments. A majority of studies find equivocal results with respect to intensity, frequency, and duration of stretch. The current hypotheses were not supported, and encourage the use of static stretching pre-exercise. Although more research is needed in this area of study, martial arts populations may still benefit from the use of static stretching prior to competition. Other stretching recommendations must be sport specific and tailored to individual needs in regard to muscular performance.Kinesiology (Exercise Science