Who are more flexible:boys or girls?

-More girls do gymnastics.

-Girls split best.

-Boys don’t split often.

Girls are more flexible because they do gymnastics, their body is smaller and that means that for them it is easier to be more flexible.

Flexibility refers to the ability to bend and move easily without injury or damage. I will measure the flexibility of boys and girls in Mr. Caslin’s class (Equal number of boys and girls) and test my hypothesis.These are the three different measures of flexibility I used and how I measured them:

Split: inches from groin to floor. (The larger the result,

the less flexible)

Torso and back: inches from toes to farther

point (if kid doesn’t reach toes, measure is a negative number). (The larger the result, the more flexible)

Forward swing: feet from leg on the furthest

points on a wall to floor. (The larger the result, the more flexible)

Girl ID SPLIT (inches) Torso & Back (inches) Forward swing (feet)1 8 2 3.112 12 0.5 3.53 7 0 3.114 9 0 3.95 9 2.1 46 2.5 5.5 4.77 9 -3 4.18 9 1 4.119 8 0 3.910 7 -6 3.211 0 8 5.3

Boy ID

SPLIT (inches) Torso & Back (inches) Forward swing (feet)

1 17 1 3.62 12 1 3.13 15 2.5 34 13 4 2.115 15 -5.5 3.46 8 2.5 3.67 9 0 3.118 11 2.5 3.119 16.5 3 2.210 11 2 3.611 9.5 1 3.9

Boys Girls5.8

66.26.46.6

SPLIT (inches)

SPLIT (inches)

Boys Girls0.8

0.9

1

1.1

Torso & Back (inches)

Torso & Back (inches)

Boys Girls4.144.154.164.174.18

Forward swing (feet)

Forward swing (feet)

Girls: did better at split and forward swing.

Boys: did better at torso and back.

The girls outperformed boys in 2 of the three tests. The boys outperformed girls in 1 of the three tests.

5th Grade Girls are more flexible using their legs, and boys are more flexible using their backs.

Overall, girls are more flexible than boys.

My hypothesis was confirmed but only on 2 of the 3 measures.

Increase the number of boys and girls to include other grades and elementary schools.

Use a wider choice of flexibility tests.

I want to thank my teachers at Kinsey Elementary, Mr. Caslin, Mr. Miller, my classmates and my gymnastics coach at Flagstaff Gymnastics Center, Bernie Rede and Flagstaff Main Library.