Associations between flexibility, aerobic capacity, and training experience among Algerian bodybuilders

This study examined aerobic capacity and flexibility among Algerian bodybuilders and explored their associations with age and training experience. Fifteen male athletes from Batna Province participated in the research. Aerobic capacity was assessed using the Luc Léger 20-m shuttle run test, while trunk flexibility and shoulder mobility were evaluated through the sit-and-reach and back-scratch tests, respectively. Results showed moderate aerobic capacity and generally low to moderate flexibility across the sample. Correlational analyses revealed no statistically significant relationships between VO2max, flexibility, age, or training duration (p > 0.05). Although flexibility displayed a slight tendency to decline with age and to improve with longer training experience, these trends did not reach significance, likely due to the small and homogeneous sample. These findings underscore the importance of integrating structured flexibility and aerobic training into bodybuilding programs to maintain optimal mobility and performance. Future studies employing larger and more diverse samples are recommended to better clarify the relationships among age, training experience, and physical fitness components in bodybuilding populations.