Fitness Measures and Health Outcomes in Youth (2012) / Chapter Skim
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7 Health-Related Fitness Measures for Youth: Flexibility
7 Health-Related Fitness Measures for Youth: Flexibility
Pages 187-206
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From page 187... ...
The principal health outcomes hypothesized to be associated with flexibility are prevention of and relief from low-back pain, prevention of musculoskeletal injury, and improved posture. These associations have been studied most frequently in adults, and the strength of any associations for specific flexibility tests in youth is minimal.
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From page 188... ...
provided further impetus for growth in the professions of occupational and physical therapy and a rise in schools for preparing therapists. In 1980 the first health-related physical fitness test was published (AAHPERD, 1980)
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From page 189... ...
, whose research in the 1950s precipitated the U.S. national youth fitness testing movement, referred to flexibility as a muscle fitness component associated with "muscle stiffness" and "tension." Kraus and Raab (1961)
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From page 190... ...
can also result in improved flexibility. FLEXIBILITY FITNESS TESTS Flexibility tests measure joint range of motion and can in general be classified into two categories: laboratory tests and field tests.
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From page 191... ...
Field Tests Field tests for flexibility have been used in a number of fitness test batteries. In the United States, the shoulder stretch (sometimes called the zipper)
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From page 192... ...
Accordingly, establishing a link to one or more health outcomes for one specific flexibility test item is difficult. An added complication is that field tests used to assess flexibility may not have the specificity to isolate particular joints of interest to health-related outcomes.
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From page 193... ...
, at least in people for whom high-intensity exercise and vigorous-intensity physical activity are important job features. The association between flexibility and functional capacity among adults is unclear, although several recent studies have investigated exercise training and functional capacity.
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From page 194... ...
has long been considered important in preparing for vigorous-intensity physical activity, including sports, dance, and various forms of fitness training. Recent research, however, has questioned some of the purported performance and health benefits, including prevention of soreness and injury.
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From page 195... ...
2) found that "there was little or no effect on muscle soreness experienced in the week after physical activity." There is evidence, however, that acute static stretching decreases musculoskeletal stiffness (Kay and Blazevich, 2009)
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From page 196... ...
. Results of the most recent California physical fitness test indicate that the percentage of students meeting sit-andreach standards is higher among girls than boys and that for both sexes, more youth meet the standards at upper than at lower grades.1 Finally, results of a statewide fitness survey of students in fifth and seventh grades in Georgia suggest that 21 percent of students failed to meet flexibility standards (as measured by the sit-and-reach test)
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From page 197... ...
A high body mass index (BMI) was associated with increased neck tension, and the authors speculate that it may be related to poor hamstring length and back stiffness.
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From page 198... ...
Moreover, studies typically were not designed to test hypotheses central to flexibility. For example, flexibility measures often were included as one of the fitness components measured, but the health outcomes assessed were chosen because of their hypothesized association with fitness variables other than flexibility, such as BMI.
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From page 199... ...
youth and concurrent data on possible associated health outcomes or health markers are not available. Further, cut-points for adults have not been established for flexibility tests.
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From page 200... ...
Flexibility is specific to joints, and relationships to general systemic health outcomes or health markers are therefore less likely to exist than is the case for other fitness components, such as cardiorespiratory endurance. Clinical theory suggests that complex interaction among multiple musculoskeletal factors (e.g., flexibility, strength, muscular endurance, and neuromuscular factors)
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From page 201... ...
With this in mind, the committee suggests that in schools and other educational settings, flexibility test items may be included to educate youth and their parents about flexibility as a component of overall musculoskeletal fitness, function, and performance. The selection of such a test should be based on its validity, reliability, and feasibility.
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From page 202... ...
President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Research Digest 3(9)
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From page 203... ...
1954. Minimum muscular fitness tests in school children.
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2010. Tracking adiposity and health-related physical fitness test performances from early childhood through elementary school.
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From page 205... ...
2004. The effect of tai chi on health outcomes in patients with chronic conditions: A systematic review.
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