Estudio longitudinal de la flexibilidad funcional en mayores físicamente activos / Longitudinal study of Functional Flexibility in Olfer Physically Active

Abstract

Flexibility is an important component of physical fitness, particularly in elderly people whose flexibility tend to deteriorate with the passing of time. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to determine how flexibility of older adults’ change over time. The control group consisted of 54 physically active adults (17 men and 37 women) all of which were 65 years and older. These adults participated in a 60 minute global fitness course, led by a trained instructor, twice a week. During the 12 month study, the subjects’ flexibility was measured at four different times through chair sit and reach and back scratch tests. The results show that the subjects who took part in this yearlong study, experienced positive results in flexibility in the areas tested. The results concluded that the subjects in the study that were previously engaged in regularly physical activity maintained and in some cases, improved flexibility through regular global fitness activity.