The purpose of this study was to assess the chronic effect of static stretching performed during warm-up on flexibility in children. The study sample comprised 29 boys (mean age 8.58±0.63 years, height 1.27±0.07 m, weight 28.94±6.03 kg) and 29 girls (mean age 8.60±0.92 years, height 1.31±0.09 m, weight 31.30±8.56 kg). Participants were allocated into four groups: male control group (MCG, n=15); male intervention group (MIG, n=14); female control group (FCG, n=15); and female intervention group (FIG, n=14). The FIG and MIG took part in a 16-week intervention program that consisted of six stretching exercises performed during the warm-up period of physical education classes. Flexibility was assessed by the sit-and-reach test, which was performed at baseline and after 16 weeks of the intervention program. Factorial ANOVA for repeated measures was used with group, sex, and point in time (pre- or post-intervention) as the independent variables, followed by Tukey's post-hoc test. Sit-and-reach test performance improved significantly in both intervention groups (MIG, 24.89±5.01 cm at baseline vs. 29.07±4.51 cm post-intervention; FIG, 27.25±4.43 cm at baseline vs. 32.14±3.24 cm post-intervention; P< 0.0001). There were no significant changes in either control group (MCG, 24.17±5.14 cm at baseline vs. 23,87±4,35 cm post-intervention; FCG, 28,60±6,07 cm at baseline vs. 28,97±6,38 cm post-intervention; P> 0.05). Furthermore, the results revealed a significant group × time interaction (F=1.54, p< 0.0001). The performance of stretching exercises during warm-up can increase flexibility in children.
Physical exercises; Physical fitness; Schoolchildren
