The Relationship Between Stretching and Students' Running Ability in Football Games
Keywords:
Stretching; Running Ability; Sprint Performance; Football Games; Physical EducationAbstract
This study aimed to examine the relationship between stretching and students’ running ability in football games. Stretching is a fundamental component of warm-up routines designed to increase muscle flexibility, enhance joint range of motion, and optimize neuromuscular readiness before engaging in high-intensity physical activity. In football, running ability particularly short-distance sprint performance is a critical determinant of game effectiveness, influencing acceleration, positioning, and tactical responsiveness. A quantitative correlational design was employed. The population consisted of 358 tenth-grade students of SMA N 1 Jambi City. Using systematic sampling from 146 male students, 26 participants were selected as the research sample. Stretching practices were measured through structured observation and validated questionnaires, while running ability was assessed using a 30-meter sprint test. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s product–moment correlation with a significance level of α = 0.05. The results revealed a strong and statistically significant relationship between stretching and running ability (r = 0.783; p = 0.001 < 0.05). The coefficient of determination (r² = 0.613) indicates that 61.3% of the variance in running performance is associated with stretching practices. These findings suggest that proper stretching implementation is positively related to improved sprint performance in school-based football activities. The study highlights the importance of structured and evidence-based warm-up routines in enhancing students’ physical performance and movement efficiency in Physical Education settings.
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