Measuring methods for functional reach test: comparison of 1-arm reach and 2-arm reach.
Kage H, Okuda M, Nakamura I, Kunitsugu I, Sugiyama S, Hobara T. Measuring methods for functional reach test: comparison of 1-arm reach and 2-arm reach.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate which functional reach test better reflects the center of pressure excursion, a 1-arm reach or a 2-arm reach, and to investigate the effect of trunk rotation on the reach distance in a 1-arm reach. In addition, we considered the influence of the individual variation at the starting position.


METHODS
Descriptive study using a force platform and a 3-dimensional (3D) motion capture system.


METHODS
Motion analysis laboratory in a college setting.


METHODS
Elderly volunteers (N=41; 15 men, 26 women; 71.8+/-5.2y).


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
3D coordinate data and the movement of the center of pressure.


RESULTS
The correlation between the reach distance and the center of pressure excursion was significantly higher (P<.05) for the 1-arm reach (r=.60, .72) compared with a 2-arm reach (r=.41, .55). In the case of the 1-arm reach, center of pressure excursion was a significant factor affecting reach distance (beta=.319, .470) in multivariate regression analysis, but trunk rotation was not (beta=.162, .095). When the reach distance was measured using the heel as a reference, the correlation was stronger.


CONCLUSIONS
To evaluate dynamic balance, a 1-arm reach, which better reflects center of pressure excursion, is more valid. It is meaningful to reduce the individual variation of the acromion at the starting position.
Kage
Haruko
H
Department of Physical Therapy, YIC Rehabilitation College, Ube, Japan. h-kage@yic.ac.jp
Okuda
Masayuki
M
Nakamura
Ippei
I
Kunitsugu
Ichiro
I
Sugiyama
Shinichi
S
Hobara
Tatsuya
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D012399:Rotation; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000502:physiology*