Pistotnik, Borut - Share of male body dimensions in flexibility results obtained by gravity goniometer

摘要

The purpose of the study is to establish significance and relative extent of the share of male body dimensions in the results of flexibility measurement by a gravity goniometer. A battery of fifteen angular flexibility tests (using a gravity goniometer) and twenty-one measures for establishing morphological characteristics of body were used on the sample comprising 236 male subjects. Based on the body measures, the flexibility test results were evaluated by means of regression analysis and the part of the variance which could be assumed on the basis of test subjects' morphological characteristics was determined for each variable. The regression analysis showed with reasonable certainty that almost half of the angular measurements of flexibility used in the study did not have a significant share in the morphological variables. Skin folds and circumferences of body segments had the biggest share in the used flexibility tests. Even when gravity goniometer was used, the system of body morphological characteristics had the highest share in the flexibility tests for hip joint; similar shares have been observed when using linear measures. Of fifteen flexibility measures seven could be recommended for use in sports practice (three for shoulder girdle, three for trunk and one for hip joint) as they yielded reliable results, share of body morphological characteristics in them was not considerable and they were easy to use.