ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to measure the flexibility of children and adolescents of both sexes (7 to 15 years old), using the Sit-and-Reach (SRT) and other test (Bench for Flexibility Assessment - BFA) that allows controlling the influences of individual anthropometric characteristics. The study included 250 male and female students, grouped into five age groups: 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15 years old. When tested by the SRT, there was similar pattern between the sexes, especially a reduction in the flexibility up to 13 years and then stabilizing the performance at 15 years old. With regard to BFA, this test did not detect a reduction in performance, but an increase in the flexibility with advancing age. Additionally, the female volunteers had higher levels of flexibility than males aged 13 years old. The flexibility behavior was different between the tests used, supporting the expectation that SRT results are influenced by anthropometric characteristics.
Keywords:
Physical Fitness; Flexibility; Children; Adolescents
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