Is There A Relationship Between the Functional Reach Test and Flexibility?

Abstract

This study examined the influence of short-term stretching and improved flexibility on functional reach (FR) performances (reach distance and rotation angle of various joints during reaching). 17 healthy male university students were assigned to either experimental and control groups based on the random assignment. A pre-test/Post-test design was used in this study. The variable factor for the experimental group was stretching (jogging for warming up and stretching). Main outcome measures were flexibility (static maximum range of motion of shoulder, hip, and ankle joints) and FR of participants. FR test performances were assessed by the reach distance and rotation angles of each joint during reaching. No significant differences between the groups were found in the participants’ characteristics, and no skeletal muscle fatigue was found in the lower limb. In the experimental group, shoulder and hip-joint flexibility increased significantly by stretching, and showed higher values than that of the control group. In contrast, FR test performance did not reveal any changes. Slight intraindividual ROM improvements by short-term stretching may be less important for FR postural strategies. FR test performances are little influenced by light static stretching in young healthy adults

Alternatif bir postüral kontrol testi: modifiye edilmiş fonksiyonel uzanmanın kararlılık sınırları ile korelasyonu

“…It was proven that FRT was not an appropriate indicator to differentiate between individuals with and without the risk of falling. 21 While FRT has been reported to be commonly used as a clinical test measuring the LoS, 22 fundamental differences are present between FRT and LoS. Unlike LoS, FRT measures trunk flexibility as well as LoS.…”

Comparison of Dynamic Balance Performances of Adult Runners With Intellectual Disability Versus Their Sedentary Peers

“…We also found that FRT scores were significantly higher in runners with ID compared to their sedentary counterparts. The FRT reflects flexibility, particularly the range of motion of the shoulder and/or hip joints, that largely influence the participants’ reaching distances, because the motion of this task requires maximal extension of the extremities and a large flexing action of the hip and shoulder joints (Uchiyama et al, 2011). In this context, runners had greater flexibility, as might be predicted by the fact that, when running at high speed, the legs go through a certain motion in which the knee drives upward and the heel comes up under the butt like when stepping over something of hip height (Majumdar & Robergs, 2011; Mero et al, 1992).…”