The Impact of Overweight on Flexibility and Functional Capacity

Abstract

Obesity is a health problem worldwide, with a significant impact on the mortality of individuals. However, considering the importance of preventive management, few studies have addressed the predictors of functional impairment in overweight subjects. The present study aimed to verify the differences in functional variables in overweight volunteers compared to eutrophic subjects, to determine the independent predictors of functional capacity in overweight subjects and to provide a model that can predict exercise capacity in this population. Seventy-four physically active participants (both sexes, aged 18 to 60 years) were evaluated and stratified into two groups: eutrophic (n=45, 33 ± 11 years, 76% females) and overweight (n=29, 37 ± 12 years, 41% females), according to body mass index (BMI). All volunteers were submitted to clinical, anthropometric, flexibility, muscle strength and endurance evaluation and maximal exercise testing. Differences between groups were verified by Independent T test or Mann-Whitney. Uni and multivariate linear regressions were performed to verify the independent predictors of functional capacity in the overweight group. The overweight individuals were predominantly male (58.6%), with iliopsoas (p=0.009), pectoral (p<0.001) and piriformis (p=0.003) shortening, and with lower values of peak oxygen uptake (VO 2peak ) (p=0.012). In the final multivariate model, BMI and body fat percentage were the only independent predictors of functional capacity in overweight volunteers and VO 2peak can be predicted by the model VO 2peak =85.161 -(0.747 × BMI) -(0.925 × body fat percentage). Overweight individuals already show musculoskeletal and functional changes when compared to eutrophic ones. Preventive strategies should be adopted in this population, aiming to prevent musculoskeletal and functional dysfunctions that may compromise the functional capacity of these individuals.

Physical Fitness Performance Comparison based on Body Mass Index between Individual Sports and Team Sports Athletes

“…This finding is supported by the previous study reported that A team sport athlete who was underweight performed admirably in the speed and agility component (Ibrahim et al, 2021;Rinaldo et al, 2020). In previous study stating the In comparison to overweight and obese team sport athletes, underweight and normal weight team sports scored higher on the flexibility test (Bittencourt et al, 2017;Ponce-González et al, 2020). From a previous study, can be simplified that team sport underweight athletes are suits to put in the position that require great performance of speed, agility and flexibility such as goalkeeper and forward in football and hockey as generally know these position speed and agility also these positions are require to play in many matches, so Flexibility is required here to avoid injuries, as flexibility has been shown to help minimise injuries (Cejudo et al, 2019;Witvrouw et al, 2003).…”

Relationship between Specific Field-Based Physical Fitness Test Results and Selected Health Biomarkers in College-Aged Males: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Thus, one person may have good levels of flexibility in the glenohumeral joint but not in the acetabulofemoral joint [ 39 ]. Likewise, since of all the anthropometric and health variables analyzed, only S&R correlated with AG—and despite some studies have verified that subjects with a higher percentage of fatty tissue present lower levels of flexibility [ 41 , 42 ]—it cannot be ruled out that this result is due to the presence of central adiposity, which may limit trunk flexion, and therefore, S&R results [ 43 , 44 ].…”

Analisa Indeks Massa Tubuh dan Fleksibilitas Otot Hamstring Lansia di Sesetan: Studi Observasional

“…Pada individu dengan overweight mengalami pemendekan otot-otot yang mempengaruhi fleksibilitas hamstring antara lain otot iliopsoas, hamstrings, gastrocnemius, quadriceps, piriformis, dan pectoral. 27 Namun pada lansia yang memiliki IMT normal dapat mengalami fleksibilitas terbatas karena seringkali mengalami penyakit degenerasi sendi dan otot, osteoarthritis, serta osteoporosis. 27 Seseorang dengan overweight juga mengalami penurunan performa gerakan yang melibatkan otot hamstring antara lain berkurangnya kemampuan fleksi hip, ekstensi hip, dan plantar fleksi.…”

“…27 Namun pada lansia yang memiliki IMT normal dapat mengalami fleksibilitas terbatas karena seringkali mengalami penyakit degenerasi sendi dan otot, osteoarthritis, serta osteoporosis. 27 Seseorang dengan overweight juga mengalami penurunan performa gerakan yang melibatkan otot hamstring antara lain berkurangnya kemampuan fleksi hip, ekstensi hip, dan plantar fleksi. 28 Penelitian lainnya didapatkan bahwa baik pada responden dengan overweight maupun underweight mengalami penurunan fleksibilitas otot yaitu menunjukkan performa terbatas dalam chair sit and reach test dan pada kasus underweight hal ini disebabkan karena massa lemak dan massa otot yang kurang.…”