Differences in Flexibility Between Urban and Rural Elementary School Children: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Flexibility is an important component of health-related physical fitness in childhood and may be influenced by both biological and environmental factors. The aim of this pilot study was to compare flexibility levels in younger school-aged children attending urban and rural elementary schools and to explore potential sex-related differences. The sample consisted of 60 children aged 6–10 years (30 urban and 30 rural pupils; equal numbers of boys and girls). Flexibility was assessed using five standardized motor tests: Sit and Reach, Shoulder Mobility, Trunk Rotation with Stick, Deep Squat, and Wide Straddle Sit with Elbows on the Floor. An overall flexibility index was calculated as the sum of ordinal scores across all tests. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, and effect-size analysis (Cohen’s d) were applied. Children attending the urban school achieved better results across all assessed flexibility tests. Statistically significant differences were observed in the Sit and Reach Test and the Wide Straddle Sit Test (p < 0.05). The largest between-group difference was found for the overall flexibility index (Cohen’s d = 0.95), indicating better overall flexibility among urban children. Girls demonstrated more favourable flexibility outcomes than boys across all assessed tests. The findings suggest that flexibility outcomes may differ between children attending urban and rural schools; however, due to the pilot nature of the study and the absence of controlled variables, the results should be interpreted with caution.