Flexibility Training and Functional Ability in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background. As indicated in a recent systematic review relating to Canada's Physical Activity Guidelines for Older Adults, exercise interventions in older adults can maintain or improve functional abilities. Less is known about the role of flexibility in the maintenance or improvement of functional abilities, and there currently does not exist a synthesis of the literature supporting a consensus on flexibility training prescription. Purpose. To systematically review the effects of flexibility-specific training interventions on measures of functional outcomes in healthy older adults over the age of 65 years. Methods. Five electronic databases were searched for intervention studies involving concepts related to aging, flexibility, functional outcomes, and training interventions. After evaluating the articles for relevance, 22 studies were considered. Results. The results suggested that while flexibility-specific interventions may have effects on range of motion (ROM) outcomes, there is conflicting information regarding both the relationship between flexibility interventions and functional outcomes or daily functioning. Conclusions. Due to the wide range of intervention protocols, body parts studied, and functional measurements, conclusive recommendations regarding flexibility training for older adults or the validity of flexibility training interventions as supplements to other forms of exercise, or as significant positive influences on functional ability, require further investigation.

Age-related mobility loss is joint-specific: an analysis from 6,000 Flexitest results

“…A recent and very comprehensive systematic review showed that flexibility can be improved by specific training; however, according to these authors, there are several constraints in the 22 studies analyzed that preclude obtaining a more definitive answer, regarding if these benefits are transformed in better functional outcomes for older adults (Stathokostas et al 2012). Although, by reading their data, indeed, it can be identified that most studies are relatively short (few weeks long) and that flexibility was most often assessed by multicomposite tests, such as sit-andreach, which, in our opinion, may compromise the interpretation of the information.…”

Exercise prescription to reverse frailty

“…It is hypothesized that similar positive results could be achieved in other major muscle groups through proper stretching interventions. However, a recent systematic review indicated that there is no definitive conclusion on the optimal flexibility program for older adults (Stathokostas et al 2012).…”

Flexibility of Older Adults Aged 55–86 Years and the Influence of Physical Activity

“…As indicated in a recent systematic review by our group [1], there is conflicting information regarding both the relationship between flexibility training interventions and functional outcomes and the relationship between improved flexibility and daily functioning; health benefits have not yet been established. The comparison of studies in this area to provide a prescription of the flexibility is complicated by the variety of limb ranges of motion studied, testing procedures utilized, and methods of assessing physical activity levels.…”

“…The purpose of the present study was to examine the cross-sectional age-related differences in flexibility in a large sample of independently living adults aged 55–86 years with varying activity levels. The recent systematic literature review identified the lack of an established relationship between improved flexibility and daily functioning and health benefits [1]. As such, a secondary purpose of the present study was to describe any relationships of physical activity levels and of functional outcomes (specifically walking), with flexibility measures.…”