Stretching exercises by the trainers’ and exercisers’ point of view/Exercícios de alongamento na visão de treinadores e praticantes

Abstract

Objective: to identify the characteristics of evaluation, prescription, and practice of stretching/flexibility exercises from the perspective of trainers and exercisers. Methods: data from 424 exercisers and 106 trainers who responded to specific questionnaires were analyzed. Results: 64% of exercisers stretch at the beginning of training, while 54% stretch at the end of training, to prevent muscle injuries/pain and muscle relaxation. Although 96% of trainers responded that stretching exercises are essential, only 62% said they prescribed them. For 60% of trainers, the prescription depends on each training session, while 40% use data from physical assessments. The main reasons for prescribing these exercises were to prevent injuries (before training) and relax muscles (after training). These exercises are preferably performed in one to two series lasting 10 to 20 seconds of active static stretching. Conclusion: exercisers and trainers usually stretch/prescribe stretches with different objectives for the beginning and end of the session, based on the characteristics of the training and with a short duration series.