Effect of Static Stretch of HIP Flexors Muscles on Vertical Jump- A Contrary

Although hip flexion is integral in sports, exercises for development of hip flexion are seldom emphasized in strength and conditioning for sports performance. The Study aimed to determine the effect of static stretch of hip flexors on vertical jump performance. Twenty students of the Lakshmibai National University of Physical Education, Gwalior were selected as subjects for the study by employing purposive sampling. Subjects were randomly assigned in two groups. Experimental (n = 10) and control Group (n=10). Three weeks training were imparted to experimental group. Kneel Growing Stretch or Simpson Stretch, Seated Butterfly Stretch, Pigeon Pose techniques were used to stretch hip flexor muscles. Vertical jump was used to measure the explosive strength. Pre and post data were collected on maximum vertical jump test by vertical power jump and measured to the nearest 1cm. Subjects were allowed to perform three trials out of which the highest jump was used as the comparison measure for pre and post scores. Data were collected and the effect of static stretching of Hip flexors muscles on vertical jump performance for each of the 2 groups were analyzed by using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) followed by a Bonferroni Test post hoc test to determine the exact site of statistical significance. Level of significance was set at 0.05. This study clearly revealed significant effect of static stretching of Hip flexors muscles on vertical jump performance. This will help to increase stride length of athlete, as well as to prevent hamstring pulls and low-back pain. Dean R.S (2005) and Wakefield (2014) also found similar results.