Static Flexibility Test - Shoulder & Wrist

Testing and measurement are the means of collecting information upon which subsequent performance evaluations and decisions are made but in the analysis we need to bear in mind the factors that may influence the results.

Objective

The objective of this test is to monitor the development of the athlete's shoulder and wrist flexibility.

How to conduct the test

Starting position

  • Lay prone on the floor with the arms fully extended holding a stick

Movement

  • Raise the stick as high as possible, keeping the nose on the ground
  • Measure the vertical distance the stick rises from the floor to the nearest 1/2 inch
  • Repeat the test 3 times and record the best distance
  • Measure the arm length from the acromial extremity to the tip of the longest finger
  • Subtract the best score from the arm length
 Shoulder & Wrist

Analysis

Analysis of the result is by comparing it with the results of previous tests. It is expected that, with appropriate training between each test, the analysis would indicate an improvement.

Performance Assessment

For an evaluation of the athlete's performance select the gender, enter the distance and then select the 'Calculate' button.

Gender Distance inches
 
Assessment -

Normative data for the Shoulder and Wrist flexibility test

Rating Men Women
Excellent >12.50 >11.75
Good 12.50 - 11.50 11.75 - 10.75
Average 11.49 - 8.25 10.74 - 7.50
Fair 8.24 - 6.00 7.49 - 5.50
Poor <6.0 <5.50

Table adapted from Johnson B.L. & Nelson J.K. Practical Measurements for Evaluation in PE 4th Ed. 1986

Target Group

These tests are suitable for active individuals but not for those where the test would be contraindicated.

Reliability

Reliability would depend upon how strict the test is conducted and the individual's level of motivation to perform the test.

Validity

There are published tables to relate results to potential level of flexibility and the correlation is high.

Associated Pages

The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page:

Associated Books

The following books provide more information related to this topic:

  • Advanced Studies in Physical Education and Sport, P Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 4482345
  • Physical Education and the Study of Sport, B. Davis et al., ISBN 0 7234 31752
  • Essentials of Exercise Physiology, W.D. McArdle et al., ISBN 0 683 30507 7
  • Physical Education and Sport Studies, D. Roscoe et al., ISBN 1 901424 20 0
  • The World of Sport Examined, P. Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 438719 9
  • Advanced PE for Edexcel, F. Galligan et al., ISBN 0 435 50643 9
  • Examining Physical Education, K. Bizley, ISBN 0 435 50660 9
  • Sport and PE, K Wesson et al., ISBN 0 340 683821
  • PE for you, J. Honeybourne, ISBN 0 7487 3277 2