Physical Flexibility and Physical Activity among Homemakers and Office-going Women: A Comparative Study

Introduction: In India, women typically assume roles such as homemaking, office work, and manual labor, all of which require varying degrees of physical effort. Handling these duties requires adequate physical fitness, especially physical flexibility. The nature of one’s occupation significantly shapes daily movement patterns and levels of physical activity. This study aims to compare physical flexibility and physical activity levels (PAL) between homemakers and office-going women in white-collar jobs. Materials and Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study included 130 participants, consisting of 65 homemakers and 65 office-going women employed in white-collar occupations, such as administrative or desk-based roles, aged between 19 and 45 years, selected based on eligibility criteria. The V-Sit and Reach Test (VSRT) and Apley’s Scratch Test (AST) were used to measure physical flexibility, while the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) was employed to assess physical activity level (PAL). Results: The findings indicate that physical flexibility and PAL differ significantly ( P < 0.05) between homemakers and office-going women. In particular, homemakers showed greater lower-body flexibility ( P < 0.001) and greater upper-body flexibility ( P < 0.05) in comparison to office-going women. Additionally, homemakers showed higher PAL ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: The results show that homemakers had higher PAL and greater flexibility than office-going women. These findings highlight the need for targeted exercise programs to promote flexibility, mobility, and ergonomic improvements for overall health.