The Effect of Active Stretching Exercises on Range of Motion, Some Physical Abilities, and Performance of Young Discus Throwers

Abstract

Discus throwing is a sport event that requires a high integration between joint range of motion and physical abilities, such as explosive strength, speed, and balance, where the flexibility of the shoulders, hips, and trunk directly affects the efficiency of rotation and the force of release. Observations indicate that some young throwers face challenges in achieving the required range of motion, leading to suboptimal technical performance, which formed the basis of this study’s problem. The study aimed to investigate the effect of active stretching exercises on improving the range of motion and certain physical abilities, hypothesizing that there would be statistically significant differences between the pre-test and post-test results for the experimental group. The seven-week experimental program demonstrated that dynamic exercises enhanced explosive strength, movement speed, balance, and flexibility, positively reflecting on throwing performance. Based on these results, it is recommended to regularly incorporate active stretching into warm-up and training programs, with emphasis on exercises targeting the major joints, to enhance technical performance, increase release speed, and improve the physical effectiveness of young athletes.