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Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado

Danielle Ingle

Faculty Sponsor

Gary Heise

Abstract

The components of postural stability and flexibility are considered essential to overall physical fitness and well-being. Previous researchers have evaluated the relationship between these factors in the elderly; however studies addressing the younger population in relation to implications of gender difference have been largely inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to assess the strength of the correlation between stability and flexibility in young adults as well as to evaluate ways in which the anthropometrical differences between men and women dictate flexibility performance. The present quantitative clinical study tested 20 young adults between 20 and 29 years in age, a convenience sample recruited from recreational facilities, classrooms, and the university’s campus. The force plate was utilized to measure anterior- posterior center of pressure (COP-AP) in terms of static and dynamic stability, as well as mediolateral center of pressure (COP-ML) in relation to dynamic stability with the purpose of detecting any sway in the orthogonal x, y, or z axes. Flexibility measures were taken with a manual goniometer and a sit-and-reach box (SRB). The goniometer quantified joint angles of the hip and ankle. The modified SRB evaluation assessed lower back and hamstring flexibility of each participant. We hypothesized that a strong correlation between stability and flexibility would be apparent in each subject, and that females would express a greater range of motion (ROM) than males. Significant and non-significant relationships were detected.

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