CORRELATION BETWEEN STRENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY

By: Billy Wilson

INTRODUCTION

There are four basic components to physical fitness.– Muscular Endurance, Cardiovascular Endurance,

Muscular Strength, Flexibility Muscular Strength- the ability of the muscle

to generate the maximum amount of force Flexibility- the ability to move a joint through

the full range of motion without discomfort or pain

PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS

Purpose– The major purpose of this study was to determine

a correlation between an individual’s muscular strength and flexibility.

Hypothesis– The null hypothesis for this study states: There

was no correlation between an individual’s muscular strength and flexibility.

PROBLEM AND NEED

Problem– The study was designed to answer the question: Was there

a correlation between an individual’s muscular strength and flexibility?

Need– It is important to maximize both strength and flexibility since

they are both components of physical fitness.– It is important to know the relationship between flexibility

and muscular strength.

LIMITATIONS

The major limitations of the study were: The researcher was not the one who collected the

data. There were multiple testers. The researcher was not present when the tests

were taken. All testers may not have been using exactly the

same joint reference points when calculating range of motion.

Goniometry is not the most accurate form of determining flexibility.

DELIMITATIONS

The major delimitations of the study were: All the subjects were volunteers. All the subjects were students at a university in

Southeast Tennessee. All subjects were tested in a class designed

specifically for research testing. The tests were taken in the 2007 school year. All subjects were between the ages of 18-38. The strength test was delimited to the one

repetition max.

CHAPTER 2 INTRO

Physical fitness is defined as a set of attributes that people have or achieve that relates to the ability to perform physical activity.

Muscular Strength- the maximum amount of push or pull that can be exerted one time by a muscle group

– Isometric Contraction and Isotonic Contraction tests

Flexibility– Static Flexibility and Dynamic Flexibility– Inclinometer, Radiography, Goniometry

RECOMMENDATION FOR PROGAMS

The majority of the subjects were college aged males and females that were not regularly involved in strength or flexibility training.

The main instrument used was the goniometer and the main test was the 1RM.

Most of the studies were on the effects of pre-event stretching on exercise performance.

Most concluded that pre-event stretching caused a power deficit

SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW

Pre-event stretching has a negative effect on performance.– speed, agility, and power output

Findings based upon college aged subjects that were mostly physically inactive.

Goniometery and 1RM were main testing tools.

CHAPTER 3

Sample– Data collected in Fall semester of 2007-2008

school year– Males between the ages 18-38– Students attending major metropolitan university– Randomly chosen by students of the exercise

testing class

CHAPTER 3

Methodology– Subjects participated in 1RM bench press test for

muscular strength– Subjects’ flexibility measured with a goniometer

Right shoulder abduction

– Data were collected by students of an exercise testing class

– Both male and female subjects tested, but only male scores were used for this study

CHAPTER 4

Table 4.1Subjects’ One Repetition Max vs. FlexibilitySs Age 1RM Flexibility__________1 22 415 1802 23 365 1803 19 265 1804 23 405 1805 21 395 1686 21 215 1807 21 225 1808 22 185 1509 20 190 12010 20 250 13811 22 145 11012 31 175 18313 20 195 16214 38 245 15415 19 255 183

Ss= SubjectsAge= The age of the subjects at the time of testing1RM= One repetition maximum bench press in poundsFlexibility= Degree of shoulder range of motion.

CHAPTER 4

Table 4.2Spearman r Data Analysis of Strength and Flexibility Correlation

Level of Confidence 0.05Degree of Freedom 58Critical Value .250Calculated Value .010

Legend:Level of Confidence= p>0.05Degree of Freedom= the number of subjects minus oneCritical Value= a value in the sample distribution to which the calculated statistic

was comparedCalculated Value= a value derived from computing procedures applied to the data

CHAPTER 5

Null Hypothesis– There was no correlation between an individual’s muscular

strength and flexibility.– Based on the analysis of the data, the null hypothesis was

accepted.

If this study were done again:– Make sure no stretching was done before the 1RM test– Test a different shoulder movement– Test the correlation in females

REFERENCES

Behm, D.G., E. E. Bradbury, A. T. Haynes, J. N. Hodder, A. M. Leonard, N. R. Paddock, et al. 2005. Flexibility is not Related to Stretch-Induced Deficits in Force or Power. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 5: 33-42.

Cornelius, W., M. Hands. 1992. The Effects of a Warm-up on Acute Hip Joint Flexibility Using a Modified PNF Stretching Technique. Journal of Athletic Training :112-114.

Halvorson, R., et al. 2007. Dynamic Warm-Ups Improve Athletic Performance. IDEA Fitness Journal: 19. Kokkonen, J., A. G. Nelson, et al. 2001. Acute Ballistic Muscle Stretching Inhibits Maximal Strength

Performance. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 72(4): 415-419. Kravitz, L., et al. 2006. Resistance and Flexibility Training: an Ambiguous Relationship Clarified. IDEA

Fitness Journal: 23-25. Nelson, A., N. Driscoll, D. Landin, M. Young, I. Schexnayder, et al. 2005. Acute Effects of Passive

Muscle Stretching on Sprint Performance. Journal of Sports Sciences, 23(5): 449-454. Nelson, A., J. Allen, A. Cornwell, J. Kokkonen, et al. 2001. Inhibition of Maximal Voluntary Isometric

Torque Production by Acute Stretching is Joint-Angle Specific. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 72(1): 68-70.

Nelson, A., J. Kokkonen, C. Eldredge, et al. 2005. Strength Inhibition Following an Acute Stretch is Not Limited to Novice Stretchers. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 76(4): 500-506.

Siegel, D. (ed.), et al. 2006. Stretching and Muscular Endurance Performance. JOPERD, 77(5): 5. Tsuang, Y., S. Lam, L. Wu, C. Chiang, L. Chen, P. Chen, J. Sun, C. Wang, et al. 2007. Isokinetic

Eccentric Exercise can Induce Skeletal Muscle Injury within the Physiologic Excursion of Muscle-Tendon Unit: a Rabbit Model. Journal of Orthopedic Surgery and Research, 2(13): 1-7.

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