Sit-and-reach test (Was Fact or Myth? Abnormal Posture)

[Guest guest]

Question to Forbes:

My oldest daughter, who was a high school sprinter and pole vaulter, was

never able to get a Presidents Council Physical Fitness award because of her

poor performance on the sit-and-reach. She was a three sport athlete who was

fortunate to experience no hamstring/back injuries throughout her prep career.

What is your opinion of the sit-and-reach as a valid test for either

hamstring or back flexibility? Since you are still doing this test, you're

probably

satisfied with this instrument.

The sit-and-reach probably does identify individuals who may be at higher

risk of muscle injuries. However, some research ( et al. '98) noted that

the sit-and-reach is not correlated with low back flexibility. Is the

Schoeber test (tape measurements of spine length) a better method for evaluating

lumbar flexibility?

Ken Jakalski

Lisle HS

Lisle, IL