The functional reach test (FRT) (Duncan et
al., 1990) is a simple test for balance assessment in which the maximal forward
reach distance is measured. FRT scores are useful for screening fall risk of
the elderly with a cutoff point subtracted 15 cm from a standard value as well
as for balance assessment (Duncan et al., 1990). It was reported that the FRT
has good intra-rater and inter-rater reliabilities and correlates with gait
velocity, tandem gait, and single-limb stance (Whitney, Poole, & Cass,
1998). In this study, we hypothesized that the FR test score would improve with
short-term stretching and increased joint flexibility.
The functional reach test has been commonly
used as a clinical test measuring the limit of stability (margin of stability)
and was reported to have high reliability and validity as a balance test
(Duncan et al., 1990). However, participant’s flexibility, particularly range
of motion (ROM) of the shoulder and/or hip joints, may largely influence the
reaching distance, because the motion task of this test requires maximal
extension of the extremities and a large flexing action of the hip and shoulder
joints. In this study, the FRT was conducted before and after a short-term
intervention that increased joint mobility.
First, it was confirmed that there was no
decline in maximal plantar flexion strength due to the intervention and the
range of motion of shoulder and hip joints significantly increased. In
contrast, there was no intervention effect in the FRT per formances (reach
distance and rotation angle of various joints during reaching). The stretching
used in this study increased the ROM of various joints. However, it was
suggested that this change in ROM makes neither the motion nor the reach
distance of the FRT change.
In conclusion, in healthy young adults,
improvement of the range of motion of joints by warming-up and stretching has
little influence on FRT scores.
Article by Sohee
Shin,et al,from Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
Full access: http://mrw.so/2aEqlg
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