Relationships of age and sex with range of motion of seventeen joint actions in humans

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship of age and sex with the range of motion of seventeen joint actions at eight joints. A sample of 190 male and female subjects ranging in age from 18 to 88 years were measured using a modified version of Leighton's (1942) procedures. The data were analyzed to obtain test-retest reliability, to determine significant differences in flexibility across age, and to assess sex differences in flexibility. The following conclusions were made: a general decline in flexibility of joints occurs with age; upper extremity joints do not readily reflect this decreased flexibility with age; the configuration of flexibility is specific to the joint action and; females have greater flexibility than males throughout life.