Abstract

LOPEZ-MINARRO, Pedro Ángel; VAQUERO-CRISTOBAL, Raquel; MUYOR, José María  and  ESPEJO-ANTUNEZ, Luis. Criterion-related validity of sit-and-reach test as a measure of hamstring extensibility in older women. Nutr. Hosp. [online]. 2015, vol.32, n.1, pp.312-317. ISSN 1699-5198.  https://dx.doi.org/10.3305/nh.2015.32.1.8999.

Introduction: lumbo-sacral posture and the sit-andreach score have been proposed as measures of hamstring extensibility. However, the validity is influenced by sample characteristics. Objective: to determine the validity of lumbo-horizontal angle and score in the sit-and-reach test as measures of hamstring extensibility in older women. Method: a hundred and twenty older women performed the straight leg raise test with both leg, and the sit-and-reach test (SR) in a random order. For the sitand- reach test, the score and the lumbo-sacral posture in bending (lumbo-horizontal angle, L-Hfx) were measured. Results and discussion: the mean values of straight leg raise in left and right leg were 81.70 ± 13.83^o and 82.10 ± 14.36^o, respectively. The mean value of EPR of both legs was 81.90 ± 12.70^o. The mean values of SR score and L-Hfx were -1.54 ± 8.09 cm and 91.08^o ± 9.32^o, respectively. The correlation values between the mean straight leg raise test with respect to lumbo-sacral posture and SR score were moderate (L-Hfx: r = -0.72, p < 0.01; SR: r = 0.70, p < 0.01). Both variables independently explained about 50% of the variance (L-Hfx: R2 = 0.52, p < 0,001; SR: R2 = 0.49, p < 0,001). Conclusions: the validity of lumbo-sacral posture in bending as measure of hamstring muscle extensibility on older women is moderate, with similar values than SR score.

Keywords : Flexibility; Hamstring muscle; Physical fitness; Senior; Validity.

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