Relationship between flexibility, strength and VO2max of athletes from Imbabura

Abstract

The qualities of the physical condition such as flexibility, strength and VO2max in the athlete, are fully manifested in any sporting activity. The objective of the research was to evaluate the level of flexibility and the existing relationship with the level of explosive strength and VO2max. One hundred thirty-seven athletes from the province of Imbabura were selected in the disciplines of soccer, basketball, climbing, athletics and taekwondo and were evaluated through the sit and reach test, vertical jump (VERT) and Queen College test. The results showed that 81.8 % were of mixed ethnicity, 56 % of the sample male. The taekwondo and climbing disciplines were more flexible (31 cm), the average explosive strength that stood out was climbing (48cm) of jumping capacity, followed by basketball (45cm); the VO2max of the basketball players was excellent (57 ml*kg-1*min-1). Soccer presented an average VO2max (52.8 ml*kg-1*min), with significant differences between the means (p=<0.05). The flexibility of the sports disciplines had a moderate direct relationship (p=<0.00) with strength and a moderate inverse relationship (p=<0.01/ rho =-0.4) with VO2max. Flexibility was directly proportional to strength, that is, if flexibility increased, strength also increased; however, flexibility was inversely proportional to VO2max, that is, flexibility decreased and VO2max increased.