Flexibility level in high school students from Florianópolis - SC: an analysis focused on gender, age, and extracurricular physical activity practice

Abstract

The present study aimed to analyze the flexibility level in high school students from Florianopolis - SC, regarding gender, age, and extracurricular physical activity practice. The sample was composed by 300 schoolchildren, from both genders, aged 15 ± 0.9 yr. A self-managed questionnaire was used to assess socioeconomic status and extracurricular physical activity practice. The results showed that most of the students as inform the class B socioeconomical stratum, and were used to engaging in some physical activity, notably those involving aerobic exercise, for one to three times per week. Hip flexibility, most of the female students is at a health risk condition range, unlike the male students. Nevertheless, for the shoulder, the females are at an advisable range. Physical education practice does not seem to modify such status. As a conclusion, male students are more flexible for hip, and on the other hand the females overcome their counterparts concerning shoulder flexibility.