Evaluating Flexibility: Tests and Techniques

Nov 20, 2024

Flexibility Evaluation

Overview

  • Evaluation of flexibility measures how flexible a person is.
  • Two main tests discussed: Sit and Reach Test, Goniometry.

Sit and Reach Test

  • Procedure

    • Equipment: A box placed against a solid surface.
    • Participant removes shoes, sits flat-footed, legs straight, knees extended.
    • Reach as far as possible down the board and hold position for 2 seconds.
    • Perform three attempts, record the best score.
  • Advantages

    • Easy to administer.
    • Inexpensive equipment.
    • Provides standardized results.
  • Disadvantages

    • Only measures flexibility of lower back and hamstrings.
    • Not suitable for measuring flexibility of other joints (e.g., shoulders).
    • Measures only static flexibility.
    • Requires thorough warm-up for best results.
  • Key Points

    • Know how to conduct the test.
    • Understand the advantages and disadvantages.

Goniometry

  • Equipment

    • Goniometer: 360-degree protractor with two arms.
  • Procedure

    • Place the center (hinge point) of the goniometer at the center of the joint.
    • Align the arms with the articulating bones (e.g., humerus, radius/ulna).
    • Measure the joint angles.
    • Example: Elbow should reach 180 degrees.
  • Advantages

    • Objective measurement.
    • Provides exact joint angles as data.
    • Can be applied to any joint, making it sport-specific.
  • Disadvantages

    • Human error in finding the center of rotation.
    • Requires significant training for accuracy.

Conclusion

  • Both methods provide different insights into flexibility.
  • Importance of understanding the applications and limitations of each method.