The Effect of Flexibility Training on Flexibility Power and Agility in Female Athletes Participating in Track and Softball

The purpose of this investigation was to reveal (1) if there was a difference in the production of flexibility, power, and agility measures between female athletes participating in track and softball at Fort Hays State University, and (2) if there was a difference concerning the production of power and agility evident between the specific flexibility training methods for the two groups. Twenty-five females (18 softball and 7 track), ages ranging from 18 to 24, participated in this investigation. All participants in the investigation were selected based upon participation in collegiate athletics (softball or track) at Fort Hays State University during the 2004-2005 school year. Participants were asked to perform their sports- specific warm-up and flexibility training regimen prior to testing. After the warm-up and flexibility regimen were completed, participants engaged in three tests. The three tests were the Sit and Reach Test for flexibility, Vertical Jump Test for power, and the Illinois Agility Run for agility. A General Linear Model Discriminant Analysis was utilized to measure significant differences between the independent variables, the two training regimens, on the dependent variables of flexibility, power, and agility. Analysis of the effects of the two different training regimens on the production of flexibility, power, and agility revealed no significant difference at the 0.05 level. The low levels of significance could be due to the participants already being engaged in training for the particular sport.