title: The reliability and validity of a chair sit-and-reach test as a measure of hamstring flexibility in older adults.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the test-retest reliability and the criterion validity of a newly developed chair sit-and-reach (CSR) test as a measure of hamstring flexibility in older adults CSR performance was also compared to sit-and-reach (SR) and back-saver sit-and-reach (BSR) measures of hamstring flexibility. To estimate reliability, 76 men and women (M age = 70.5 years) performed the CSR on 2 different days, 2-5 days apart. In the validity phase of the study, scores of 80 men and women (M age = 74.2 years) were obtained on three field test measures of hamstring flexibility (CSR, SR, and BSR) and on a criterion test (goniometer measurement of a passive straight-leg raise). Results indicate that the CSR has good intraclass test-retest reliability (R = .92 for men; r = .96 for women), and has a moderate-to-good relationship with the criterion measure (r = .76 for men; r = .81 for women). The criterion validity of the CSR for the male and female participants is comparable to that of the SR (r = .74 and r = .71, respectively) and BSR (r = .70 and r = .71, respectively). Results indicate that the CSR test produces reasonably accurate and stable measures of hamstring flexibility. In addition, it appears that the CSR is a safe and socially acceptable alternative to traditional floor sit-and-reach tests as a measure of hamstring flexibility in older adults.
authors.affiliation: Division of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, California State University-Fullerton, USA. jjones@fullerton.edu
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Rikli
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Max
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Noffal
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D015588:Observer Variation; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012449:Safety; D013710:Tendons / Q000502:physiology; D013848:Thigh / Q000502:physiology*