Low-resistance,,
ageing,,
flexibility,,
young-older adults,,
male,,
training
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of low-resistance training on flexibility of young
older male adults in Samaru, Zaria. Repeated-measuresexperimental research design was used for
this study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select young-oldermale adults between the
ages of 60 and 69 years, who volunteered to participate in this study. The training intensity was
maintained between 25 and 45% of one repetition maximum (1RM) on flexibility. The training
programme had two sessions of low-resistance per week for a duration of 12 weeks. Stop watch,
stadiometer, resistance machines, a chair and ruler were used as instruments for this study. The
participantstrained at 25% of 1RM from base-line to 4 th week, at 35% of 1RM from 4 th to 8 th week and
at 45% of 1RM from 8 th to 12th week. The flexibility was assessed at base-line, at the end of 4th, 8th
and 12th week of the training. Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) were used to
answer the research question while repeated-measure analysis of variance and Scheffe's post-hoc
test were used to test the stated hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. At the end of the 12 weeks
training, the major findings from the study showed significant increase in flexibility (p = 0.000),
therefore, the null hypothesis was rejected. The Scheffe post-hoc test further showed significant
means difference in the increasing effect on flexibility (p = 0.000) between base-line and 4 th week, 4 th
and 8thweek, 8th and 12thweek of training. In conclusion, Low-resistance training from 25-45% of
1RMincreased flexibility of the young-older male adults. It was further recommended that young
older male adults should train more at low-resistance intensity between 25 and 45% of 1RM to
increase flexibility.
