Abstract
Abstract Introduction: Functional reach (FR) and lateral reach (LR) tests are widely used in scientific research and clinical practice. Assessment tools are useful in assessing subjects with greater accuracy and are usually adapted according to the limitations of each condition. Objective: To adapt FR and LR tests for use in an aquatic environment and assess the performance of healthy young adults. Methods: We collected anthropometric data and information on whether the participant exercised regularly or not. The FR and LR tests were adapted for use in an aquatic environment and administered to 47 healthy subjects aged 20-30 years. Each test was repeated three times. Results: Forty-one females and six males were assessed. The mean FR test score for men was 24.06 cm, whereas the mean value for right lateral reach (RLR) was 10.94 cm and for left lateral reach (LLR) was 9.78 cm. For females, the mean FR score was 17.57 cm, while the mean values for RLR was 8.84cm and for LLR was 7.76 cm. Men performed better in the FR (p < 0.001) and RLR tests than women (p = 0.037). Individuals who exercised regularly showed no differences in performance level when compared with their counterparts. Conclusion: The FR and LR tests were adapted for use in an aquatic environment. Males performed better on the FR and RLR tests, when compared to females. There was no correlation between the FR and LR tests and weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), foot length or length of the dominant upper limb.
Highlights
Functional reach (FR) and lateral reach (LR) tests are widely used in scientific research and clinical practice
There was no correlation between the FR and LR tests and weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), foot length or length of the dominant upper limb
The LR test was performed with both UL, with the subject’s feet together, without touching the tape measure, the assessed UL abducted to 90o, elbow extended, wrist neutral and fingers extended and the other upper limb along the body
Summary
Functional reach (FR) and lateral reach (LR) tests are widely used in scientific research and clinical practice. Objective: To adapt FR and LR tests for use in an aquatic environment and assess the performance of healthy young adults. The water is a safe place for the rehabilitation of individuals with impaired body balance [4, 5] For this reason, there are ever more new treatment methods that need to be assessed with regard to the response of the body to this environment (4, 6 – 9). An underwater force platform is the ideal tool to analyze ground reaction force It is costly, which makes everyday use unfeasible for clinics and sport clubs. In addition to being expensive, the use of force platforms and the interpretation of the data obtained from them require specialized technical knowledge, which makes individualized prescription based on quantitative information about the forces acting on an individual’s musculoskeletal structures difficult. In everyday practice, professionals find it difficult to handle this information and end up neglecting force control for the prescription of this technique [10]
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