INVESTIGATING THE IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF DYNAMIC AND STATIC STRETCHING ON BALANCE, PROPRIOCEPTION, AND LANDING ERROR IN FEMALE GYMNASTS

Abstract

The objective of the current research was to examine the immediate effects of dynamic and static stretching on balance, proprioception, and landing error in female gymnasts. This research is categorized as applied-developmental based on its purpose, semi-experimental according to its data collection method, and quantitative in terms of data type. The statistical population included female gymnasts aged 18 to 25 in Tehran, from which 36 participants were purposefully selected and randomly divided into three groups (n = 12 for the control group, n = 12 for the dynamic stretching group, and n = 12 for the static stretching group). All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 22. A significance level of α = 0.05 was applied to all statistical tests. The findings showed that dynamic stretching had a significantly positive effect on measures of dynamic balance, static balance, and overall balance. In contrast, static stretching has a significant impact only on the static balance of female gymnasts, resulting in a decrease in static balance. This study investigated the immediate effects of dynamic and static stretching on the balance, proprioception, and landing errors of female gymnasts. It employed a semi-experimental, quantitative, and applied-developmental design. Thirty-six female gymnasts aged 18 to 25 from Tehran were intentionally selected and randomly divided into three groups: dynamic stretching, static stretching, and control (n = 12 in each group). Balance, proprioception, and landing errors were measured before and after the interventions. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22, with a significance threshold of α = 0.05. Findings indicated that dynamic stretching led to significant improvements in dynamic balance (anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions), combined balance, and static balance, along with substantial reductions in landing errors and enhancements in proprioception. Conversely, static stretching improved proprioception and static balance but did not significantly influence dynamic balance or landing errors. Therefore, dynamic stretching offered greater immediate advantages in balance, proprioception, and landing error metrics than static stretching.