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Acute and Chronic Effects of Supervised Flexibility Training in Older Adults: A Comparison of Two Different Conditioning Programs

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  • Stefano La Greca

    (Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy)

  • Mariano Rapali

    (Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy)

  • Giuliano Ciaprini

    (Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy)

  • Luca Russo

    (Department of Human Sciences, Italian University Line—IUL, 50122 Florance, Italy)

  • Maria Giulia Vinciguerra

    (Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy)

  • Riccardo Di Giminiani

    (Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy)

Abstract

Flexibility training is a fundamental biological process that improves the quality of life of the elderly by improving the ranges of motion of joints, postural balance and locomotion, and thus reducing the risk of falling. Two different training programs were assessed acutely and after 12 weeks by means of the sit-and-reach test. Thirty-one healthy older adults were randomly divided into three groups: the Experiment I group (Exp) performed strength and static stretching exercises; the Experiment II group performed dynamic and static stretching exercises; and participants assigned to the control group maintained a sedentary lifestyle for the entire period of the study. Flexibility acutely increased in Exp I by the first (ΔT0 = 7.63 ± 1.26%; ES = 0.36; p = 0.002) and second testing sessions (ΔT1 = 3.74 ± 0.91%; ES = 0.20; p = 0.002). Similarly, it increased in Exp II significantly by the first (ΔT0 = 14.21 ± 3.42%; ES = 0.20; p = 0.011) and second testing sessions (ΔT1 = 9.63 ± 4.29%; ES = 0.13; p = 0.005). Flexibility significantly increased over the 12 weeks of training in Exp I (ΔT0 − T1 = 9.03 ± 3.14%; ES = 0.41; p = 0.020) and Exp II (ΔT0 − T1 = 22.96 ± 9.87%; ES = 0.35; p = 0.005). The acute and chronic differences between the two groups were not significant ( p > 0.05). These results suggest the effectiveness of different exercise typologies in improving the flexibility of the posterior muscular chains in older adults. Therefore, the selection of a program to optimize training interventions could be based on the physical characteristics of the participants.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefano La Greca & Mariano Rapali & Giuliano Ciaprini & Luca Russo & Maria Giulia Vinciguerra & Riccardo Di Giminiani, 2022. "Acute and Chronic Effects of Supervised Flexibility Training in Older Adults: A Comparison of Two Different Conditioning Programs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:24:p:16974-:d:1006642
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andressa Crystine da Silva Sobrinho & Mariana Luciano de Almeida & Guilherme da Silva Rodrigues & Larissa Chacon Finzeto & Vagner Ramon Rodrigues Silva & Rodrigo Fenner Bernatti & Carlos Roberto Bueno, 2021. "Effect of Flexibility Training Associated with Multicomponent Training on Posture and Quality of Movement in Physically Inactive Older Women: A Randomized Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-13, October.
    2. Valerio Bonavolontà & Francesca Greco & Umberto Sabatini & Francisco J. Saavedra & Francesco Fischetti & Carlo Baldari & Laura Guidetti & Maria Grazia Vaccaro & Gian Pietro Emerenziani, 2021. "Effects of Ballroom Dance on Physical Fitness and Reaction Time in Experienced Middle-Aged Adults of Both Genders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-9, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Luca Russo & Eleonora Montagnani & Davide Pietrantuono & Fabiola D’Angona & Tommaso Fratini & Riccardo Di Giminiani & Stefano Palermi & Francesco Ceccarini & Gian Mario Migliaccio & Elena Lupu & Johnn, 2023. "Self-Myofascial Release of the Foot Plantar Surface: The Effects of a Single Exercise Session on the Posterior Muscular Chain Flexibility after One Hour," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-12, January.

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