Age-specific differences in the flexibility of high school wrestlers

The purpose of this study was to examine age related differences in selected flexibility measures in high school wrestlers. Volunteers (N=125) were stratified into four age groups: ≤15.00; 15.01-16.00; 16.01-17.00, and ≥17.00 years, which corresponded approximately to the freshman through senior years of high school. The subjects were tested on three measures of flexibility: sit-and- reach, shoulder-and-wrist elevation, and trunk-and- neck extension. In addition, head-and-trunk length, trochanteric height, and arm length were measured to examine relative flexibility differences. The results indicated significant (p<0.05) group differences for absolute and relative (covaried for trochanteric height) flexibility in the sit-and-reach test. The findings provide descriptive data on the flexibility of high school wrestlers using techniques that may be employed in practical settings by trainers and coaches.