Background: Fast dynamic stretching has a positive effect on rate of force development in ice hockey players. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the influence of fast dynamic stretching (FDS) of the gluteus maximus muscle on rate of force development.
Subjects/methods: This study included 12 healthy ice hockey players. The intervention was based on a fast dynamic stretching of the gluteus maximus muscle. For quantification, measurements were performed before and after the intervention. The rate of force development was determined by using the drop jump (DJ) for ground contact time and jump height, and sprint time was measured on ice over 20 meters.
Results: The intervention showed significant extension of the ground reaction time. The jump height and the sprint time showed no significant differences after FDS intervention.
Conclusion: The data in this present randomised controlled pilot study showed that FDS interventions on the gluteus maximus muscle have no influence on rate of force development. For future studies, it is recommended that the study protocol should be modified with regard to determining the stretched muscle groups. Furthermore, the FDS intervention on the gluteus maximus muscle showed no positive influence on DJ and sprint.
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