Relationship of the standing, stooping and crouching performances with the lower body and lower extremity flexibility and strength

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of the standing, stooping and crouching performances with the lower body and lower extremity flexibility and strength. Methods: Over the age of 18 years, 97 volunteer sedentary young adults were included in this cross-sectional study. Valpar 9 Whole Body Range of Motion test was used to evaluate standing, stooping and crouching performances. In addition, modified sit-and-reach and isometric back-leg strength tests were applied to the participants. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between standing, stooping and crouching performances, and flexibility and muscular strength. Results: The mean age of the participants was 23.5±1.4 (20-31) years. The body mass index of the participants was 22.3±3.2 (16.6-31.8) kg/m2. In this study, no relationship was found between standing, stooping and crouching performances, and flexibility of hamstring-lumbar extensor muscles and isometric back-leg muscle strength in sedentary young adults (p>0.05). Conclusion: Standing, stooping and crouching performances have a low level of necessity for lower body and lower extremity flexibility and isometric muscle strength. In further studies, it would be appropriate to examine these activities for other parameters of physical fitness such as muscular endurance.