Open AccessACUTE EFFECT OF WHOLE-BODY VIBRATION COMBINED WITH STATIC STRETCHING ON FEMALE GYMNASTS’ LEG AND VERTICAL STIFFNESS DURING RUNNING
Author(s) -
Ntallas Constantinos,
George Dallas
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
european journal of physical education and sport
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2501-1235
DOI - 10.46827/ejpe.v7i5.4075
Subject(s) - whole body vibration , ground reaction force , stiffness , static stretching , kinematics , mathematics , vibration , medicine , physical therapy , physics , structural engineering , range of motion , acoustics , engineering , classical mechanics
Although whole-body vibration (WBV) combined with static stretching (SS) have proven a suitable method to enhance flexibility without losing muscular strength, it is still unknown what its effect are on running mechanics. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to examine the effect of a WBV combined with SS (WBVSS) warm up procedure on lower limb stiffness and spatiotemporal variables during running. Twenty-two female gymnasts performed 30-s running bouts at 4.44 m.s-1 on a treadmill before and after a WBVSS intervention stimulus. The WBVSS stimulus included two sets of 20s of SS of four different muscle groups on the vibration platform. Leg and vertical stiffness values were calculated using a spring mass model. The results showed a statistically significant interaction effect on vertical stiffness (Kvert), leg stiffness (Kleg), change in leg length (ΔL), maximal ground reaction force (Fmax), contact time (Tc), and flight time (Tf). Results indicated that, a warm-up including SS combined with WBV did not produce significant effect on mean values of Kleg and Kvert, and related kinetic and kinematic variables. Article visualizations: