THE EFFECT OF ANKLE POSTURE ON SIT-AND-REACH TEST PERFORMANCE 57

Abstract

It has been shown that the sit-and-reach test (SRT) measures hamstring range of motion (ROM) but not low-back ROM (e.g., Jackson & Baker, 1986). Because Gajdosik et al (1985) found that straight-leg-raise (SLR) performance(a test with which the SRT is often validated) improved when subjects were permitted to passively plantar flex (PF) the ankle as opposed to keeping it in dorsiflexion (DF), we wished to learn if ankle posture would similarly affect scores on the SRT. Subjects were (a) 105 university students (46 m & 59 f, age 22.6 years) and (b) 122 4th-6th grade students (58 m & 65 f, age 10.9 years). After signing informed consent statements and warming up, subjects were tested in random order on a SRT with the feet fixed in DF and on one in which the feet were permitted to passively PF. Both the PF and DF tests for the university students were done with one leg extended as recommended for safety reasons by Cailliet (1981); for the 4th-6th grade students both legs were extended (AAHPERD, 1988). PF SRT scores were significantly greater(p's<.001) than DF SRT scores for both groups of subjects (35.7 & 32.0 cm for the university students and 29.8 & 26.7 cm for the 4th-6th grade students). It would appear that popliteal space fascial tightness or sciatic nerve tension decreases DF SRT performance similar to the finding of Gajdosik et al (1985) for the SLR; this factor should be considered if the SRT is used to measure physical fitness.