The effect of static stretching exercise on flexibility and speed ability in young football players

Training programmes for young football players are designed to stimulate an optimal development of physical performances relevant to football game. The primary aim of this research is to establish the effect of the static stretching exercise on the motor abilities (flexibility and speed) of young football players. A total of 24 young football players (U17 category) from Football Club “Ramiz Sadiku” were included in this pilot study. Participants were divided into control and experimental group. The research implemented 6 variables: 1) 2 variables for estimation of morphological characteristics (body height, body mass) and 2) 4 variables for estimation of motor abilities such as flexibility (Sit-and-Reach test), and speed (sprint 5m, sprint 10m and sprint 30m). Data processing was conducted with the software package SPSS, 23.0 version and uni-variant analysis was performed. Acquired results show that conducted experimental program for development of flexibility have statistically significant effect only on flexibility variable “sit and reach test” with the experimental group, and no significant effect on speed 5m, 10m and 30m. Based on the data obtained in this research, it is recommended to use static stretching exercises after training (in the recovery phase), 2-3 times a week for the optimal development of the flexibility of the players at the U17 category.