Flexibility of older adults aged 55-86 years and the influence of physical activity

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. © 2013 liza stathokostas et al.