title: Flexibility of older adults aged 55-86 years and the influence of physical activity.
abstract: Cross-sectional age-related differences in flexibility of older adults aged 55-86 years of varying activity levels were examined. Shoulder abduction and hip flexion flexibility measurements were obtained from 436 individuals (205 men, 71 ± 9 years; 231 women, 72 ± 8 years). Total physical activity was assessed using the Minnesota Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire. Shoulder abduction showed a significant decline averaging 5 degrees/decade in men and 6 degrees/decade in women. Piecewise linear regression showed an accelerated decline in men starting at the age of 71 years of 0.80 degrees/year, whereas in women the onset of decline (0.74 degrees/year) was 63 years. Men and women showed a significant decline in hip flexion (men: 6 degrees/decade; women: 7 degrees/decade). Piecewise linear regression revealed a rate of decline of 1.16 degrees/year beginning at 71 years in men and in women a single linear decline of 0.66 degrees/year. Multiple regression analysis showed that age and physical activity accounted for only 9% of the variance in hip flexion in women and 10% in men, with age but not physical activity remaining significant. Similarly for shoulder abduction, age was significant but not physical activity, in a model that described 8% of the variance for both sexes.
authors.affiliation: Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, 3M Centre 2225, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 3K7 ; School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, 3M Centre 2225, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 3K7.
authors.forename: Liza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stathokostas
authors.forename: Matthew W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: Robert M D
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Little
authors.forename: Donald H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Paterson