Muscle flexibility assessment among boys and girls aged 7 and 8 years old

Abstract

Muscle flexibility has an important role in preventing musculoskeletal pathologies, besides influencing posture. Developing children present more flexibility. The purpose was to assess flexibility in 7- and 8-year olds, inquiring whether there are age or sex differences. Two hundred and thirty public schools students (from Amparo, SP) aged 7 to 8 years old were assessed. The sample was made up of healthy 130 girls and 100 boys, with body mass index below the 85th percentile, who did not take part in institutionally organized sports or did not practice regular, physical exercise over twice and/or three hours a week. Flexibility was measured by the fingertip-to-floor test. Data were statistically analysed to verify sex and/or age differences, significance level being set at 5%. A significant sex difference was found (p=0.05): girls showed higher distance (29.15±8.80 cm) in the fingertip-to-floor test than boys (27.41±10.01 cm). There were no age differences (p=0.725). Girls presented less flexibility than boys.