# Effects of Stretching and Resistance Training on Psychophysical Awareness: A Pilot Study
## 4 Discussion  
This study's findings suggest that the multi-joint resistance training program had a significantly greater impact on flexibility compared to the traditional stretching protocol. These results are consistent with previous research, which indicates that well-designed resistance training not only enhances muscle strength but also improves flexibility [54; 55]. Several studies have demonstrated that resistance exercises performed with a wide range of motion can lead to significant increases in joint mobility. [PERSON] et al. [56] found that participants who followed a resistance training cycle focused on full-range joint move \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c c} \hline \hline
**Athletes** & **EXP** & **EXP** & **EXP** & **CON** & **CON** & **CON** \\
**Pre** & **Mid** & **Post** & **Pre** & **Mid** & **Post** \\ \hline Mean & 3.00 & 3.50 & 4.17 * & 2.83 & 3.00 & 2.91 * \\ SD & 0.52 & 0.67 & 0.58 & 0.83 & 0.42 & 0.51 \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
* Significant difference between groups at \(p\) \(<\) 0.05 (independent-samples \(t\)-test).  
\end{table} 
Table 6: Mean survey scores for the EXP and CON groups across the three time points. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c} \hline \hline
**Variable** & \(\chi^{2}\) **F** & \(p\)**-Value** & **Comparison** & \(p\)**-Value** & **d (95\% CIs)** \\ \hline \multirow{3}{*}{EXP} & & & Pre vs. Mid & 0.60 & 0.62 (0.45, 0.78) \\  & 8.71 & 0.01 & Pre vs. Post & 0.02 & 0.38 (0.20, 0.56) \\  & & & Mid vs. Post & 0.02 & 0.38 (0.20, 0.56) \\ \hline \multirow{3}{*}{CON} & & & Pre vs. Mid & 0.13 & 0.22 (0.10; 0.34) \\  & 3.56 & 0.16 & Pre vs. Post & 0.09 & 0.30 (0.15; 0.45) \\ \cline{1-1}  & & & Mid vs. Post & 0.27 & 0.18 (0.08; 0.28) \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 7: Friedman test results and post-hoc analysis for athlete perceptions. ments showed marked improvements in flexibility. This approach allows muscles to work through a broader range of motion, which promotes tendon elongation and enhances overall flexibility. [PERSON] et al. [57] reported similar findings in athletes involved in high-mobility sports such as gymnastics and dance. These athletes participated in a multi-joint resistance training program and experienced improvements in flexibility and joint mobility, important factors for executing complex and dynamic movements. While our study did not directly measure muscle strength, the observed improvements in flexibility in the experimental group align with the idea that multi-joint resistance training may positively influence flexibility. However, it is important to consider the characteristics of the resistance training program, as exercise prescription (e.g., lighter loads with higher repetitions and shorter rest periods for strength-endurance training versus heavier loads with lower repetitions and longer rest for maximum strength training) can significantly affect flexibility outcomes. Both types of training could enhance flexibility, but the magnitude of improvement may vary based on intensity, load, and recovery strategies used. One possible explanation for these improvements lies in the physiological adaptations induced by resistance training. Resistance exercises, particularly those incorporating eccentric movements and full range of motion, stimulate muscle fiber elongation, improve neuromuscular coordination, and increase tendon stiffness, all of which contribute to enhanced flexibility. Moreover, resistance training enhances the structural integrity of connective tissues, reducing stiffness and allowing greater joint mobility [58]. The statistical analysis demonstrated that the multi-joint resistance training program had a more pronounced effect on flexibility compared to the traditional stretching protocol. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a statistically significant interaction between group and time (\(p<0.05\)), indicating differing patterns of flexibility changes over time between groups.