RESEARCH METHODS FOR SPORT AND EXERCISE

Research methods for Sport and Exercise

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION3

Significance of the Research3

Statement of Problem4

Aim and Objective4

Hypothesis5

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW6

Studies on Resistance Training6

Static Stretching & Muscle Performance9

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY11

Overview of Qualitative and Quantitative Research Approaches11

Overview of the Mixed Method Research Approach12

Data Collection12

Confidentiality13

Validity13

References14

Reliability14

Data Analysis14

Qualitative Data Analysis14

Quantitative Data Analysis15

Bibliography16

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Significance of the Research

The warm-up prior to the performance of physical activity is widely accepted as a contributor to achieving maximal muscular power production, and ultimately, optimal athletic performance. An active warm-up prepares the body to increase elasticity and contractibility of muscles, increase the efficiency of respiratory and cardiovascular systems, and improve coordination. Warm-ups typically contain two components: 1) low intensity aerobic activity; and 2) stretching. Low intensity aerobic activity is widely accepted as a method that gradually raises metabolism by increasing cardiorespiratory demand, and allows for increased work output in strength and power activities such as weight training or jumping. Stretching promotes increased range of motion, muscle temperature, and decreased stiffness of the exercised muscle.

It is believed that increased joint range of motion will decrease joint stiffness and improve power production through the enhancement of elastic strain energy of the muscle tendon unit. Bergh , et al. and Davies have demonstrated that higher muscle temperatures (37- 39 degrees Celsius) increased nerve conduction velocity compared to lower muscle temperatures (30-32 degrees Celsius) that resulted in a greater force and power production for a vertical jump. The issue of joint range of motion and power production and how each is related to the forcevelocity curve is of particular interest for those individuals who may require muscular power for athletic events or certain activities of daily living.

Statement of Problem

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of dynamic and static stretching on muscular peak power production, peak jump height, and range of motion in a sample of college age recreational males.

Aim and Objective

Muscle stretching exercise as a strategy to prepare for performance of physical exercise sessions associated to performance improvement as well as reduction of injuries is common; however, its influence is not well described in the literature.

The studies used to support this research, justifying this practice with the aim to improve performance, are still very controversial, especially concerning strength training sessions for muscle strength and power.

Specifically the use of stretching exercises searching for strength boost (in vivo) finds support in the prerequisite of reaching higher activation of the transversal bridges, since the experiments (in vitro) demonstrated increase in contraction strength when the longitudinal spacing between actin and myosin is increased until certain levels.

In some studies (in vivo), negative effect of muscle stretching was verified in muscle strength and power performance, suggesting some intervenient factors, such as alterations in the viscoelastic properties of the musculotendinous units, reduction of activation of motor units and increase of musculotendinous complacence. Further studies do not present any effect, either deleterious or positive, for muscle strength gain.

On the other hand, the current studies have been facing difficulty in measuring and reaching this ...