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Flexibility
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Flexibility - Entry in Encyclo ...
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2224-07-30
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Encyclopaedia Entry - AO
Abstract
Importance and popularity of the concept of flexibility in the context of work is only matched by its lack of clarity. While it is clearly on the upward trajectory, both as an organizational practice and as a topic for discussions on academic and practitioner fora, it is yet riddled with paradoxes, used to denote different meanings and practices, and therefore confusion as regards flexibility at work is never far away. This entry intends to present the practical importance of flexibility at work, while also demonstrating the complex nature of discussions in which it is imbued and the divergent practices which it is used to designate. It also attempts to provide a critical reflection on the potential trajectory which could lead to alleviating the paradigmatic fractures between different flexibility clusters towards supporting a more seamless practical application and more coherent intellectual environment for exploring it.Citation
Izak, M. (2024 - forthcoming). Flexibility. In: P. M. Bal (Ed.), Encyclopedia of organizational psychology (pp. 252-256). Edward Elgar Publishing.Publisher
Edward Elgar PublishingType
OtherDescription
This is a draft chapter. The final version is available in [Elgar Encyclopedia of Organizational Psychology] edited by [P. Matthijs Bal], published in 2024, Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd. The material cannot be used for any other purpose without further permission of the publisher, and is for private use only.Series/Report no.
Elgar Encyclopedias in Business and ManagementISBN
9781803921754Sponsors
UnfundedCollections
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
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The effects of different stretch protocols on vertical jump, speed, and hamstring flexibility in elite female camogie playersAt this time there is very little data available on the training and conditioning of Camogie (Ladies Hurling) players. A warm-up is an important part of preparation for a Camogie match (Young, 2007). Stretching is typically part of the warm-up, however, debate exists as to the most suitable type of stretching to perform. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of dynamic stretching (DS) and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching on physical performance markers in elite Camogie players. Participants attended three separate testing dates (approximately one week between sessions). Each session lasted approximately an hour. Participants completed tests on vertical jump, 20 metre sprint and sit-and-reach after a sports specific warm-up followed by one of the interventions. Week 1 testing was the control with weeks 2 and 3 being DS and PNF respectively. There was a significant difference (p = .019) between the dynamic group (18.09 inches) and the PNF group (17.56 inches) in vertical jump heights. There was a significant difference (p = .006) between the control group (3.39s) and the PNF group (3.55s) on the 20 metre sprint test. There was a significant difference (p = .00) between the PNF group (3.55s) and dynamic group (3.39s) on the 20 metre sprint test. There was a significant difference (p < .001) between the control group (26.25 inches) and the PNF group (27.58 inches) on the sit-and reach test. There was a significant difference (p = .043) between the control group (26.25 inches) and the dynamic group (27.08 inches) on the sit-and-reach test. There were no significant differences on any other tests. This data shows that stretching can affect performance markers in elite Camogie players. Flexibility was improved by both interventions. PNF was detrimental to performance compared to the control in 20 metre sprint tests. PNF also caused a drop in performance compared to DS on the vertical jump. If the goal is increased flexibility then either intervention can be beneficial but neither intervention showed improved performances and in some cases performance was worse.
