Objective: The study examined the effects of two different stretching exercises on knee muscle strength in basketball players in order to determine the most appropriate pre-competition protocols for basketball conditioning. Method: Thirty-two basketball players (mean age 22.75±2.73 years, weight 87.47±10.99 kg, height 188.85±7.35 cm, body mass index 24.46±1.89) participated in this study. They performed two different stretching protocols according to basketball training experience in randomly

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... signed order: randomized in consecutive manner according to admission order, well-trained basketball players (training frequency= 5 days/week, groups I and II), less-trained basketball players (1 day/week, groups III and IV). Basketball players in groups I and III were exposed to isokinetic tests-one each after dynamic stretching and, 1 week later, after static stretching. In groups II and IV, similar evaluations were made after static stretching and, 1 week later, after dynamic stretching. Five days/ week were included in the well-trained group. The less-trained group consisted of basketball players who trained 1 day/week. Results: In less-trained basketball players, static stretching resulted in higher extensor muscular strength and endurance values, whereas dynamic stretching increased knee flexor strength and endurance. Conclusions: Our results suggest that before competitions, stretching exercises should be chosen depending on the conditioning of the basketball player (well-trained, less-trained). Including both static and dynamic stretching into the "stretching" concept seems effective.