Exploring Shank Circumference by Stretching after Training among Volleyball Players

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 18; no. 16; p. 8849
• Main Authors: Chen, Yi-Lang, Tsai, Fang-Min, Hsu, Wei-Chen, Yang, Chun-Ju, Yei, Ting-Yo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 22.08.2021; MDPI
• Subjects: Circumferences; Discomfort; Exercise; Experiments; Legs; Muscle contraction; Nutrition; Pain; Players; Sleep; Values; Variance analysis; Volleyball; Taiwan
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168849

This preliminary study examined the effects of a stretching intervention after training and its duration (15 vs. 30 min) on participants’ shank circumference (SC) reduction and subjective discomfort score. Ten male volleyball players underwent a routine 3 h training. A two-way analysis of variance revealed that the stretching intervention had significant effects on SC reduction (p < 0.01) and subjective discomfort scores (p < 0.001). Stretching after training could help eliminate shank strain, and a slighter discomfort in shanks when stretching was also seen (score, 20.1/100). An independent-samples t test revealed a significantly higher SC reduction (p < 0.01) with 30 min of stretching (5.6 mm) than with 15 min of stretching (2.7 mm); both stretching durations reduced SC significantly more than the no-stretching condition did. The findings of this study can serve as a reference for volleyball players to alleviate shank strain after daily routine training.