Stretching to Improve Jumping Performance

University of Saskatchewan

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Vertical Jump Performance

Treatments: Other: Stretching

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06944652

4925

Details and patient eligibility

About

The study involves comparison of an 8-week plantar flexor stretching program to a shoulder stretching program for improving vertical jump performance in adolescent athletes.

Full description

Increasing flexibility may improve vertical jump performance. For example, being able to go deeper into a squat before jumping may allow for greater force development through the range of movement and this may transfer to greater vertical jump height. The study compares plantar flexor stretching to shoulder stretching for improving vertical jump performance in adolescent athletes. Athletes are being stratified by sex and maturity status (before or after estimated age at peak height velocity) and randomized to one of two groups: Plantar flexor stretching (2 sets of 6 stretches, 5 times per week) or the same volume of shoulder stretching. Before and after training, participants are being assessed for vertical jump and landing performance.

Enrollment: 40 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 12 to 17 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Currently involved in a sport training program

Exclusion criteria

• Current or past injuries that might affect jumping performance or stretching the plantar flexors or shoulder joint

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Plantar flexor stretching

Experimental group

Description:

Flexibility training (stretching) of the muscles at the back of the lower leg

Treatment:

Other: Stretching

Shoulder stretching

Active Comparator group

Description:

Flexibility training (stretching) of the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint

Treatment:

Other: Stretching