Effectiveness of Stretching Routines in Enhancing Kicking Performance

This study was undertaken primarily to determine the effectiveness of stretching routines in enhancing kicking performance in Karate. Quasi-experimental design was used, involving two (2) karate classes, involving a total of 62 participants. The combined stretching routine of Hamstring Stretch and Seat Straddle Lotus were used for Stretching Routine 1 and Side Split and Seat Side. Straddle Lotus were employed for Stretching Routine 2. Matching was observed, and Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to determine the difference between the pretest and post test scores of the students; and the Mann-Whitney U Test was used to determine the difference between the performance of the two groups. The study revealed that the majority of the participants’ kicking performance showed the need for improvement during the pretest. After administering the stretching routines, with one group using the Hamstring Stretch and Seat Straddle Lotus, and another Side Split and Seated-Side Straddle, it was found that the two (2) groups’ kicking performance improved to a ‘good’ level. A significant difference was found between the pretest and posttest, implying an improvement in their kicking performance and level of flexibility. The increment of the two groups’ performance did not significantly differ; hence, both the stretching routines are equally effective in enhancing the kicking performance of the students. Keywords: flexibility, hamstring stretch, seat straddle lotus, side split, seat side straddle