European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

This study aimed to compare the effects of different sets of ballistic stretching protocol on repeated sprint ability (RSA) performance among football players. Fourteen male university football players [age (mean ±SD) 23.4 ± 1.3 years, body mass 70.0 ± 4.8 kg, height 171.6 ± 5.8 cm, body mass index (BMI) 23.4 ± 2.1 kg.m-2] underwent 4 sessions in the counterbalance design. All sessions included a general warm-up, followed by a ballistic stretching protocol (one set –DSS1; two sets –DSS2; three sets – DSS3) consists of 5 ballistic exercises (gastrocnemius, gluteus maximus, hamstrings, quadriceps femoris and hip extensions). A standardized specific warm-up was then undertaken followed by 5 x 20-m with interspersed 30-s active recovery. The finding of study shown a values of total time sprint (TST), mean time sprint (MST) and best time sprint (BST) were significant faster for BSS1 compared to BSS2 and BSS3 (P < 0.05). Fatigue index (FI) was significantly lower in BSS1 compared to BSS2 and BSS3 (P < 0.05). Heart rate and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) also were showed significantly lower value for BSS1 compared to BSS2 and BSS3 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the performed a single set of ballistic stretching may induce a significant improvement in 20-m RSA performanc