Flexibility Testing

Flexibility

• Functional ROM about a joint

• Joint specific

• Functional ROM–Ability to move a joint w/o pain or

limitation

Flexibility

Depends on• Distension of the joint capsule

• Adequate warm-up

• Muscle viscosity

• Compliance of other tissues – muscles, ligaments

Flexibility (ROM) Assessment

Purpose• Joint specific• Assess current status• Describe Δ in status• Establish goals• Motivation

Mvt in Major Joints Terminology

• Flexion–Anterior mvt for head, trunk, upper

extremity, hip–Posterior mvt for knee, ankle, toes

• Extension–Direction opposite of flexion

• Hyperextension–Excessive extension

Mvt in Major Joints Terminology

• Abduction–Mvt away from the midline of the body

• Adduction–Mvt toward midline of the body

–For fingers & toes, use midline of hand & foot

Mvt in Major Joints Terminology

• Scapular elevation–Shrugging (upward mvt)

• Scapular depression–Caudal or downward mvt

• Scapular protraction–Slumped forward

• Scapular retraction–Erect position

Mvt in Major Joints Terminology

• Anterior pelvic tilt–Lumbar lordosis

• Posterior pelvic tilt–Occurs with bilateral hip flexion &

flattening of lumbar lordosis

Measuring Joint-Specific Measuring Joint-Specific FlexibilityFlexibility

Laboratory MethodsGoniometry

Visual estimation

Radiography

Photography

Linear measurements

Trigonometry

Field MethodsTrunk flexion (sit-&-reach)

Trunk extension

Trunk Flexion(Sit-&-Reach)

Poor lower back & hip (posterior leg muscle) flexibility associated w/• Lower back pain• Loss of ADL’s

Trunk Flexion (Sit-&-Reach) Test Procedures

Pretest:

• perform a short warm-up

• refrain from fast, jerky mvts

• shoes should be removed

Trunk Flexion (Sit-&-Reach) Procedures

YMCA sit-&-reach test (Table 4-16)• yardstick is placed on the floor• tape is placed across it at a right angle to

the 15-inch mark• participant sits w/ yardstick b/n the legs• Heels of the feet touch the edge of the

taped line about 10 to 12 inches apart• If sit-&-reach box, heels should be placed

against the edge of the box.

Trunk Flexion (Sit-&-Reach) Procedures

• slowly reach forward w/ both hands as far as possible - hold this position momentarily

• Keeps hands parallel - do not lead w/ one hand

• Fingertips can be overlapped - should be in contact with yardstick or measuring portion of the sit-&-reach box

Trunk Flexion (Sit-&-Reach) Procedures

• Score - most distant point (in inches or centimeters) reached w/ the fingertips

• best of three trials• Assist - exhale & drop the head b/n the

arms when reaching• ensure that the knees stay extended • breathe normally during test

Trunk Flexion (Sit-&-Reach) Procedures

Sit-&-reach box (Table 4-15)

• sits w/ the legs fully extended

• soles of the feet against the box

• norms use a sit-&-reach box in which the “zero” point is set at the 26 cm