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...

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Main Authors: Liza Stathokostas, Matthew W. McDonald, Robert M. D. Little, Donald H. Paterson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2013-01-01
Series:Journal of Aging Research
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/743843
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author Liza Stathokostas
Matthew W. McDonald
Robert M. D. Little
Donald H. Paterson
author_facet Liza Stathokostas
Matthew W. McDonald
Robert M. D. Little
Donald H. Paterson
author_sort Liza Stathokostas
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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spelling doaj-art-5d7c7a5bee9545ffa67ac8e3caf02d522025-02-03T06:44:22ZengWileyJournal of Aging Research2090-22042090-22122013-01-01201310.1155/2013/743843743843Flexibility of Older Adults Aged 55–86 Years and the Influence of Physical ActivityLiza Stathokostas0Matthew W. McDonald1Robert M. D. Little2Donald H. Paterson3Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, 3M Centre 2225, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, CanadaSchool of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, 3M Centre 2225, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, CanadaCanadian Centre for Activity and Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, 3M Centre 2225, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, CanadaCanadian Centre for Activity and Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, 3M Centre 2225, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, CanadaCross-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.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/743843
spellingShingle Liza Stathokostas
Matthew W. McDonald
Robert M. D. Little
Donald H. Paterson
Flexibility of Older Adults Aged 55–86 Years and the Influence of Physical Activity
Journal of Aging Research
title Flexibility of Older Adults Aged 55–86 Years and the Influence of Physical Activity
title_full Flexibility of Older Adults Aged 55–86 Years and the Influence of Physical Activity
title_fullStr Flexibility of Older Adults Aged 55–86 Years and the Influence of Physical Activity
title_full_unstemmed Flexibility of Older Adults Aged 55–86 Years and the Influence of Physical Activity
title_short Flexibility of Older Adults Aged 55–86 Years and the Influence of Physical Activity
title_sort flexibility of older adults aged 55 86 years and the influence of physical activity
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/743843
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