The Effects of Mobility Training on Athletic Performance
Nicholas McAllister
Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation
College: The College of Health Professions and Human Services
Major: Excercise Science (M.S.)
Faculty Research Mentor: Pragya Sharma Ghimire
Abstract:
Introduction: Mobility training has been heavily used in the sports world in recent years. High school, collegiate, and professional coaches are now incorporating mobility training into their programs to get results that lead to athletes’ injury prevention and performance productivity. Previous studies have shown that mobility training can promote athletic performance productivity, but it could also not have much of an effect on certain tests. Purpose: Therefore, this study aims to explore the effect of mobility training on enhancing athletic performance, preventing injury, and promoting longevity among athletes. Methods: A literature review was conducted, and existing results were compiled using the articles published in the past 10 years. Keywords used while searching included mobility, athletes, and performance. The methodologies included in this study were targeted mobility exercises designed to enhance flexibility and strength in athletes. Mobility exercises were incorporated into training programs and assessed through performance tests, including speed, strength, and injury incidence rates. Results: We analyzed different evaluations, including multiple programs assessing a range of motion (ROM) and practice/game time performance through various studies among athletes. Conclusions: The findings showed that mobility training increased specific abilities in performance, and improved ROM was associated with less likelihood of injury among athletes. Significance/Novelty: The significance of this study is that implementing mobility concepts will improve overall athletic performance and injury prevention. Concepts of static and dynamic stretching, isolation stretching, and functional movement drills are widely used training modalities coaches use while training athletes.