Abstract:

Aim: This study was conducted to compare the effects of dynamic and static stretching exercises applied to individuals with low physical activity levels for 6 weeks on the flexibility ability of the back and leg areas. Methods: The sample group of the study consisted of people aged 18-30 (n=19 men, n=16 women) who have not met the lowest amount of physical activity recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for adults for the last 6 months. In the study, randomized experimental research model with pre-test, mid-test, post-test design was used. Piriori power analysis was performed with the G-Power program at the beginning of the study to determine the required sample size. Using the block randomization technique, two groups were formed as dynamic stretching (DS) (n = 19) and static stretching (SS) (n = 16). DS exercise program was applied to the dynamic stretching group for 20 minutes 3 days a week for 6 weeks. SS program was applied to the SS group under the same conditions. The flexibility values of the research group were repeated 3 times, at the beginning of the study, in the 3rd week and at the end of the study, with the Takei brand digital Flexion Meter device. In the evaluation of the data, Two Way Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance and comparison test in paired groups with Bonferroni correction were used. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed between the flexibility scores of the participants in the DS and SS groups in terms of time and group * time interaction (p <0.05). On the other hand, a statistically significant difference was observed in all pairwise combinations between the measurements of the DS group (p <0.05). Conclusion: As a result, it can be seen that regular DS exercises with individuals with low physical activity levels have a higher effect on flexibility ability in the back and leg areas compared to SS exercises.

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