Investigation of flexibility among geriatric subjects with different age groups, sex and physical activity levels

Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate the flexibility among geriatric subjects with different age groups, gender and physical activity levels. Methods: One hundred-twenty volunteer participants (59 female) were included in the study. Participants were categorized into three groups (65-74;75-84;84 years and over). Flexibility was assessed using back scratch test (BST), chair sit and reach test (CSRT) and range of motion of hip flexion, ankle dorsiflexion (AD), cervical rotation (SR) and scapular plane shoulder elevation. International Physical Activity Questionnaire, The Lifetime Total Physical Activity Questionnaire and World Health Organization Quality of Life-Old were used to assess current physical activity level (CPAL), total lifetime physical activity level and quality of life (QoL), respectively. Results: There wasn't statistically significant difference between the groups concerning flexibility (p>0.05). Gender was found to affect AD in males and in CSRT in females (p<0.05). The total lifetime exercise and sport activities had an effect only on lower extremity flexibility. Analysis showed that, CPAL predicts AD and also upper and lower body flexibilities (p=0.011, p= 0.036, p=0.001 respectively). QoL was not found to be affected by changes in flexibility or physical activity levels (p>0.05). Conclusion: It is thought that age has a negative effect on flexibility in geriatrics and in our study, this effect was shown to be independent of gender. CPAL can be considered as an indicator of flexibility. Geriatric individuals should be informed about physical fitness parameters and encouraged to be physically active. Key Words: Flexibility, Geriatrics, Physical activity, Total lifetime physical activity, Quality of life