2012, Volume 8, Issue 3
Applying non-apparatus and quasi-apparatus tests in a widely understood concept of health promotion – an example of flexibility measurement and assessment
Roman M Kalina1
1Department of Physiotherapy, Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Katowice, Poland
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Abstract
Background and Study Aim: The main aim of the paper is the application of the test as an exemplification of an infinite number of empirical systems, which can be created by individual researchers, physiotherapists or health-related trainers. The study aims at providing the answer to the question whether health-related training based on the exercises of safe falling and avoiding collisions significantly improves flexibility of young men.
Material and Methods: Author's non-apparatus flexibility test. Assessment of flexibility is based on raw result, which is interpreting in general (six grade scale), relatively accurate (ten grade scale) and is calculated with an accuracy of 0.1 the raw result rate. 5 young males, aged between 20 and 23 years were measured before and after 65 and 91 minutes of training.
Results: The significant improvement (between 0.6 and 1.9) has been observed in 60% cases. Participants, who revealed very high and high level of flexibility before the training, have not been prone to the stimulus enhancing their flexibility, even though in physiological terms the indicators indicate high stimulation of the organism. The effort of both participants has been performed with high intensity (76% and 78% HRmax).
Conclusions: The applied test meets the criteria of the reliable tool for measuring flexibility in every condition, in the safe way and adopted specific assessment criteria are sufficient in the professional diagnostic. The test can be used independently by people of all ages, including blind.
Key words: flexibility self-assessment, health-related training, non-apparatus flexibility test, the states of stimulating the organism