Acute effects of a dynamic stretching and core stability exercise protocol on physical performance in U-16 volleyball players

Abstract

Purpose: Stretching and core exercises are is often used in different sports to develop higher sport performance and
reduce injury risks. In acute, dynamic stretching (DS) seems to produce more benefits than static for improving physical
performance. Moreover, sports tasks characterized by explosive and multi joints movement, such as wall jumping or dunking
and serving in volleyball, also require core stabilization. Therefore, the aim of present study was to evaluate a potential postactivation
potentiation enhancement (PAPE) effect induced by a functional exercise protocol including dynamic stretching
and stimulation of core stability (StretCor) on physical performance in a group of U-16 volleyball players.
Methods: Eighteen young volleyball players (9 boys and 9 girls; age: 15.33± .68 y; BMI: 22.12±2.25 kg.m-2) participating in the
regional championship were recruited by Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV) – Campania Committee. The StretCor protocol
consisted in eight exercises, performed with ball, combining both DS and Core Stability (CS) exercises that stimulates the
main muscles group. Before and after exercise protocol, Countermovement Jump (CMJ), modified Stars Excursion Balance
Test (mSEBT) and agility T-test performances were assessed in all participants.
Results: After StretCor protocol, there were improvements (P< .05) in agility T-test (10.48±1.01 vs 10.70±1.09 s), jump
height (31.81±5.36 vs 29.75±5.73 cm) and relative peak power (51.53±9.77 vs 46.04±6.21 W/kg). Moreover, in mSEBT,
left normalized Anterior (left ANT) (71.29±7.59 vs 66.84±7.19 %), Posteromedial direction (left PM) (105.63±8.80 vs
98.28±12.82 %), Posterolateral (left PL) directions (106.15±9.95 vs 98.47±13.06 %) and in right normalized Posterolateral
direction (right PL) (103.90±10.65 vs 98.14±12.95 %) were improved after StretCor protocol; in addition, improvement
were also observed in left (94.36±6.61 vs 87.87±9.88 %) and right (92.85±7.03 vs 88.47±10.22 %) composite (COMP) score.
Conclusions: The present study suggests that an acute session of StretCor protocol, improved lower limb muscle power,
dynamic balance and agility in U-16 volleyball players. We suggest including these types of exercises as a CA to produce a
PAPE effect in the warm-up phase of volleyball training for improve the physical performance.