Effect of Five Weeks of Strength and Flexibility Training on Associations between Self-Reported and Performance-Based Measures of Physical Fitness in Older African-American Adults

Abstract

Previous research suggests that older adults' perceptions of personal physical fitness are limited, especially for muscular strength and flexibility, and that these perceptual limitations may be the result of an insufficient referent for discerning appropriate muscular strength and flexibility. This study evaluated whether 5 wk. of strength and flexibility training would provide the additional experiences necessary for older adults to strengthen the correlations between their self-reported and performance-based measures of physical fitness, specifically for the subcomponents of strength and flexibility. Evaluated components were aerobic endurance (maximal distance covered in 6 min.), muscular strength (maximal amount of weighted arm-curls and chair ups), flexibility (back-scratch and modified sit and reach), and body composition (BMI). From a local community center a convenient sample of 20 African-American adults (5 men and 15 women) who ranged in age from 57 to 82 years (M=68 yr., SD=5 yr.) volunteered to participate in 5 wk. of strength and flexibility training (twice a week, 60 min. per session). Initially, the absolute value of correlations between self-reported and performance-based measures of physical fitness were low to moderately high (r=.35 to .68) with the greatest correlation found for body composition (r=-.68). After 5 wk. of training, the participants' self-reports of upper body flexibility significantly improved (r=.42 to .70); however, no significant changes were found in self-reports of muscular strength and lower body flexibility. Additional validation of available self-report scales, as well as the development of new and improved self-report ones, is needed.