Difference in Hamstring Flexibility between Athletes in the Chilean National Wushu Team versus Athletes not in the Chilean National Wushu Team

Abstract

This study evaluates hamstring flexibility among junior athletes practicing modern Taolu Wushu using the Sit and Reach test. The cross-sectional analysis included 32 participants, evenly split between members and non-members of the national team. Results demonstrated that national team members exhibited significantly higher flexibility levels compared to their non-team counterparts (p < .01, d = 0.707), highlighting hamstring flexibility as a critical factor for national team selection in Wushu. Spearman's correlation analyses further revealed significant associations between flexibility and phenotypic variables such as age and height, particularly within the national team cohort, suggesting these traits may influence or contribute to the observed differences in flexibility. These findings support the use of the Sit and Reach test as a simple yet effective tool for assessing hamstring flexibility, which can help coaches identify potential national team candidates and tailor training programs to enhance flexibility. The outcomes align with previous research indicating higher flexibility levels in athletes of national teams across various sports, underscoring the importance of flexibility in competitive success and athlete selection processes.