ADOLESCENT BASKETBALL FEMALE PLAYERS AFTER AN ISOMETRIC STRETCHING PROGRAM

A BSTRACT : The effects of isometric stretching on the muscle-tendon-joint biomechanics in the literature data are contradictory. The aim of the study was to verify the effectiveness of the applied isometric stretching program for the improvement of jump performance of six adolescent basketball female players (17-19 years). The isometric stretching protocol with eleven exercises was used after the last daily regular training program, four times per week for 40 minutes. All exercises were repeated three times with detention duration 15 seconds for 11 weeks. Chronojump DIN-A1 contact platform (Spain), detecting a single jump with one phase of flight, was used to evaluate eight important biomechanical jump characteristics for the participants. The obtained MannWitney statistics of the measured parameters for our six participants shows contradictory results and individual stretching body adaptation. The obtained statistical significant decrease only for DJ Power (drop jump power) does not allow to make the important conclusions for the applied isometric stretching program effectiveness. The presented results underline that lower extremity control and performance are strongly related with the motion and synergy work of the upper limbs. In addition, the presented data draw attention to improving coordination between the lower and upper body movements, emphasizing the individual characteristics of each athlete for target increasing of lower limbs biomechanical performance.