Relationship between the sit-and-reach distance and spinal mobility and straight leg raising range

Purpose: In order to examine the significance of the sit-and-reach distance of the elderly, we investigated its correlations with spinal mobility and straight leg raising range (SLR). Subjects: The subjects were 161 community-dwelling elderly: 42 men, 119 women, average age 72.6 6.9 years. Methods: We measured sit-and-reach distance, spinal mobility and SLR and investigated their correlations. Results: We found a significant correlation between sit-and-reach distance and SLR (r=0.60), but no correlation (lumbar or thoracic) was found with spinal mobility. Conclusion: The results suggest that sit-and-reach distance is a test which reflects the suppleness of the hip joint and hamstrings, which are expressed in SLR, but not the flexibility of the spine.