Static vs dynamic stretching: which is better for flexibility in terms of gender of badminton athletes?

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. Flexibility is a crucial component of physical conditioning for badminton players. In this context, this study aims to investigate the impact of static and dynamic stretching on the flexibility of badminton athletes. The research objectives include analyzing the effectiveness of each stretching technique, comparing flexibility between male and female players, and examining the interaction between stretching methods and gender on athletes’ flexibility. Materials and Methods. This type of research is an experiment using a 2x2 factorial design. The participants were 20 badminton athletes aged 14-16 years. The sample obtained 10 male athletes and 10 female athletes. The flexibility instrument uses the sit and reach test. The data analysis technique used is ANOVA two way. Results. Static stretching demonstrated greater effectiveness than dynamic stretching on flexibility (p-value 0.033 < 0.05). A notable difference was observed between male and female athletes regarding flexibility, with females exhibiting better flexibility (p-value 0.004 < 0.05). The study identified a significant interaction between stretching techniques (static and dynamic) and gender (male and female) on flexibility (p-value 0.000 < 0.05). Conclusions. The research findings highlight the importance of gender-specific training programs that consider individual muscle capabilities and characteristics. By tailoring training regimens to each gender, badminton athletes can enhance their performance and reduce the risk of injuries. Based on these findings, it is recommended that badminton coaches and practitioners take into account the observed differences in the effectiveness of static and dynamic stretching based on gender.