Does A Simple Stretching Program Increase Flexibility in the V-Sit Reach?

Overview

Objectives/Goals I wanted to find out if a simple 5 minute stretching program to be done daily over 3 weeks would significantly increase a person#s flexibility in the V-Sit Reach. The V-Sit Reach is a flexibility test that is performed sitting down. The subject bends forward as far as possible, with arms outstretched. The V-Sit score is how many centimeters the middle fingertip extends past the feet. Methods/Materials Thirty six middle school students were divided into two groups, consisting of 17 subjects in a Training group (daily stretchers over 3 weeks) and 19 subjects in a Non-Training group (who only participated in the initial and final V-Sit Tests). I measured their flexibility 3 weeks apart to obtain 2 different V-Sit scores using a 74.5 cm wide exercise mat and measuring tape with centimeters. The Training group did a 5 minute daily stretching routine that I designed. It contained 5 stretching exercises. Results The Training group#s average initial V-Sit score was 9.4 cm and decreased 0.6 cm to make 8.8 cm for their average final V-Sit score. The Non-Training group#s average initial score was 6.5 cm and decreased 2.3 cm to get 4.2 cm average final score. Conclusions/Discussion There were many variables that may have affected my results. Some of the questions I wondered about were: were my subjects honest in performing the daily stretching, did the weather contribute to how well subjects performed, how much physical activity did they do that included stretching before I tested them, and did my subjects in my Training group like to exercise? I would take these questions into consideration were I to redo my project. In conclusion, my results along with a T-Test showed that stretching for 5 minutes per day for 3 weeks did not significantly improve V-Sit Reach scores.

Competition history

• CSEF 2002 Mammalian Biology · Entry J1013

Resources

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