Flexibility Test

Flexibility - refers to the ability of the joints to move through a full range of motion.

1. Zipper Test – a test of upper arm and shoulder girdle flexibility intended to parallel the strength/endurance assessment of that region.

Purpose – To be able to touch the fingertips together behind the back by reaching over the shoulder and under the elbow

Equipment

Ruler

Procedure 

For the Student:

a.      Stand erect.

b.      To test the right shoulder, raise your right arm, bend your elbow, and reach down across your back as far as possible.

c.       At the same time, extend your left arm down and behind your back, bend your elbow up across your back, and try to cross your fingers over those of your right hand.

d.      Reach with the right hand over the right shoulder and down the back as if to pull a zipper or scratch between the shoulder blades.

e.      To test the left shoulder, repeat procedure (a-d) with the left hand over the left shoulder.

For the Tester:

a.      Observe whether the fingers touched or overlapped each other.

b.      Measure the distance in which the fingers overlapped

c.       Record the score in centimeter.

Scoring – record zipper test to the nearest 0.1 centimeter

Standard

0 1 2 3 4 5

-did not touch fingertips -just touched fingertips -fingers overlapped by 1-2 cm. -fingers overlapped by 3-4 cm. -fingers overlapped by 5-7 cm. -fingers overlapped by 8cm and more.

2. Sit-and-Reach – a test of flexibility for the lower extremities particularly the hamstring.

Purpose – To be able to reach as far as possible without bending the hamstring

Equipment

Tape measure

Procedure 

For the Student:

a.      Sit on the floor with back flat on the wall. Feet are approximately 12 inches apart

b.      Without bending the back, knees and elbows, place one hand on top of the other and position the hands on the floor.

c.       After the tester has positioned the zero point of the tape measure, start the test by reaching the farthest point possible without bending the knees.

For the Tester:

a.      As the student assume the (b) procedure, position the zero point of the tape measure at the tip of the finger farthest from the body.

d.      See to it that the knees are not bent as the student reaches the farthest that he could.

e.      Measure the distance of the farthest reached.

f.        Record the score in centimeter.

Scoring – record sit and reach to the nearest 0.1 centimeter