Dynamic and static stretching in fencing motor capacity performance

Aim to investigate the acute effects of dynamic (DS) and static stretching (SS) in fencing. motor capacity performance. Methods The first group (AG) consisted of 28 amateur male athletes (age 23 ± 1 years, weight of 73 ± 8 kg, height 175 ± 6 cm, 3 ± 1 years of training), and the second group (PG) was composed of 10 professional athletes, 8 males and 2 females (age 19 ± 6 years, weight 67 ± 7 kg, height 176 cm ± 7 and 10 ± 6 years of training). Two different warm-ups were performed, one with static stretching exercises (SS) and the other with dynamic stretching exercises (DS), seven days apart. All athletes were divided into two groups which performed the different warm-ups in the same training session. After seven days the warm-ups were inverted according to a counterbalance design. After each warm-up, the athletes performed the following tests: the Time Lunge (TL) for the evaluation of explosive strength in technical movements, the Shuttel Time (ST) for the evaluation of explosive strength and speed in technical movements; the squat Jump (SJ) and the Counter Movement Jump (CMJ) for the measurement of vertical jumps and the Sit and Reach test (S&R) for flexibility assessment. Results: SJ, CMJ, TL, ST and S&R performed after warm-up with dynamic stretching (DS) and static stretching (SS) showed the following significance: • AG: DS>SS, SJ, Wilcoxon Test, p<0,05, +6%; PG: DS>SS, SJ Wilcoxon Test, p<0,05, +7%; • AG: DS>SS, CMJ, Wilcoxon Test, p<0,05, +5%; PG: DS>SS, CMJ Wilcoxon Test, p<0,05, +6%; • AG: DS>SS, TL, Wilcoxon Test, p<0,05, -13%; PG: DS>SS, TL Wilcoxon Test, p<0,05, -19%; • AG: DS>SS, ST, Wilcoxon Test, p<0,05, -6; PG: DS>SS, ST Wilcoxon Test, p<0,05, -5%. • AG: DS>SS, S&R, Wilcoxon Test, p<0,05, +3%. Discussion/conclusion DS can improve fencing performance, in both amateur and professional athletes.