Changes in Range of Motion in Response to Acute Exercise in Older and Younger Adults: Implications for Activities of Daily Living

Abstract

The study investigated age-related difference for three range of motion assessments in younger (Mage [#x0003D] 21.2 years, SD [#x0003D] 2.5) and older (Mage [#x0003D] 71.0 years, SD [#x0003D] 5.6) adults, before and after an acute exercise bout. Forty-three volunteer participants, 16 males and 27 females from a younger and older age cohort, completed a sit-and-reach, sit-and-rise, and trunk rotation test, before and after an exercise session. Three 2(age) [#x000D7] 2 (gender) [#x000D7] 2 (pre-post exercise) repeated measures ANOVA revealed statistically significant age-related differences for all range of motion assessments. The repeated measures factor, exercise, reached significance for the sit-and-reach test and the trunk rotation test, but not the sit-and-rise test. While age-related deterioration regarding flexibility appears inevitable, acute exercise responses, as demonstrated in their effect on range of motion, should not be underestimated. In fact, they may even be considered plausible means in motivating long-term exercise adherence.

KEYWORDS:

• acute exercise effect, flexibility, older adults, motivation, functional fitness