Functional Assessments of Track And Field Athletes For Relative Shortness In Particular Muscles

Abstract

This article contributes to a project focused on crafting stretching exercise regimens tailored for runners and jumpers. The aim is to enhance the extensibility of muscles prone to shortening, particularly targeting specific muscles in the lower limbs, as well as the trapezius and paravertebral muscles. The program targets specialists in sports training and kinesiotherapy, benefiting from its application. The study cohort comprises adolescent track and field athletes. Subjects undergo testing to identify muscle shortening in various muscle groups, including the lower extremities (such as “m.iliopsoas”, “m.soleus, m. rectus femoris”, and biceps femoris, semitendinosus and semimembranosus muscle group), as well as the paravertebral muscles and “m. trapezius”. Identifying muscle shortening among adolescent track and field athletes will enhance the development of stretching programs for warm-up and cool-down routines specifically tailored to runners and jumpers in track and field events.