Effect of five weeks of strength and flexibility training on associations between self-reported and performance-based measures of physical fitness in older African-American adults

Suminam-Previo Lis research suggests that older adults' percepuon oi j-w on.j physical fitness are limited, especially for muscular s[renglh and flexibilit-y. and, -ha, these perceptual limitations inay be the result of,in insufficient referem for chscerning appropriate IIIUSCLIlar strength and flexibdit * v. This study evaluated %vheiher 5 wk. of strength and flexibility trainim, would provide the additional experienced necessarv iof older adults to strengthen L correlations between their self-reponed and pelaiomance-based measures of physical fitness, specifically for the Subcomponen- 0; strength and flexibility. Evaluated components were aerobic endurance (inaxinial chi tance covered in 6 m1u.), Muscular strength (maximal amount of wei,hied airn-cu& and chair LIPS), flexibilitv (back-scratch and modified Sit and re-ach). and bod%7 corn-.0 sition (13MI). From,I local C011111111nity center -.I convenient --aniple oi 20 AincdD_ American adults (5 men and 15 women) who raiwed in age frorn 57 ici 82 %earl (M=68 yr., SD=5 yr.) volunteered to participate in 5 wk. of sireng-,h and flexibdi.-. training (twice a week, 60 min. per session). Initial]%,, the -absolute value of coriel-jtions between self-reported and performance-based measures of physical himes.s were low to moderate]\, high (?--.35 to.68) with the Lreatest correlation found for bc)d\ composition (r = -.6S). After 5 wk. of training, the parficipani_ ' self-repor-s oi uppe, bodv flexibilitv sil-nificantly improved (r=.42 to.70): however. no i"__ificani chani,e, were found in self-reports of muscular strength and lower body flexibihiv. Addiii-on-al validation of avaflable self-report scales, as Nvell as the development oi new and improved self-report ones, is needed.