THE EFFECTS OF ANTHROPOMETRIC FACTORS, LOWER EXTREMITY STRENGTH AND RANGE OF MOTION, AND GENDER ON FORWARD REACH AND BACKWARD REACH TASK PERFORMANCE IN YOUNG, NON-DISABLED ADULTS.

Conway J, Wellmon R; Widener University, Chester, PA.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between musculoskeletal factors and gender and forward and backward reaching in young, non-disabled adults.

BACKGROUND: Reaching distance is frequently used to identify elderly adults at risk for falling. However, few studies have fully examined the relationships between anthropometric measures, lower extremity strength, flexibility and gender on distance reached in either the forward or backward directions. These factors can potentially affect performance for reaching.

SUBJECTS: A convenience sample of 20 young adults (mean age = 27.03 ± 2.91 years) participated in this study.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: Lower extremity strength and flexibility for ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion, knee flexion and extension, and hip flexion and extension were measured using a hand held dynamometer and a goniometer. Anthropometric measures consisted of height, weight, hamstring length, and trunk, arm, and leg lengths. Five trials of the functional reach and backward reach tests were performed by each subject. ANALYSIS: A Pearson correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationships between forward and backward reach and anthropometric measures, strength and flexibility. One-way ANOVA were used to examine gender differences.

RESULTS: Significant correlations for all subjects grouped together were found between forward reach and weight, trunk length, and hip extension range of motion and between backward reach and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion. When examining the data by gender, significant correlations for males were found between forward reach and weight, trunk length, and hip flexion range of motion and between backward reach and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and strength. Significant correlations for females were found between forward reach and arm and foot length, and hip flexor and extensor strength, and knee flexor strength. Between gender comparisons revealed no significant differences for forward and backward reach distance. Males displayed significantly greater differences in anthropometric measures and strength while females had significantly greater flexibility.

CONCLUSION: Associations between musculoskeletal attributes and forward and backward reach were found in a sample of young adults. The findings indicate that males and females in the study might be using different movement strategies to accomplish the task of reaching.

Paper presented at the 2003 Annual Conference & Exposition of the American Physical Therapy Association, Washington, DC.