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Int J Sports Med 2009; 30(9): 658-662
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1224175
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Criterion-Related Validity of Sit-and-Reach and Modified Sit-and-Reach Test for Estimating Hamstring Flexibility in Children and Adolescents Aged 6–17 Years

J. Castro-Piñero 1 , 2 , P. Chillón 3 , F. B. Ortega 2 , 4 , J. L. Montesinos 1 , M. Sjöström 2 , J. R. Ruiz 2
  • 1Department of Physical Education, School of Education, University of Cádiz, Puerto Real, Spain
  • 2Department of Biosciences and Nutrition at NOVUM, Unit for Preventive Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
  • 3Department of Physical Education and Sport, School of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
  • 4Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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Publikationsverlauf

accepted after revision April 13, 2009

Publikationsdatum:
07. Juli 2009 (online)

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Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the criterion-related validity of the sit-and-reach test (SRT) and the modified sit-and-reach test (MSRT) for estimating hamstring flexibility in children and adolescents as well as to determine whether the MSRT is more valid than the SRT. A total of 87 (45 boys and 42 girls) children (6–12 years old) and adolescents (13–17 years old) performed the SRT and the MSRT. Hamstring flexibility was measured with goniometry through the passive straight-leg raise test. Regression analysis was performed to study the association of SRT and MSRT with hamstring flexibility (criterion measure). The SRT was associated with hamstring flexibility in both children (β=1.089, R2=0.281, p=0.001) and adolescents (β=0.690, R2=0.333, p=0.004). The MSRT was also associated with hamstring flexibility in both children (β=1.296, R2=0.298, p<0.001) and adolescents (β=0.588, R2=0.243, p=0.027). It is concluded that the criterion-related validity of the SRT and the MSRT for estimating hamstring flexibility is weak. The present data do not support that the MSRT is a more valid method than the SRT in children and adolescents.

Key words

criterion-related validity - flexibility - modified sit-and-reach

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Correspondence

J. Castro-Piñero

School of Education

Department of Physical Education

University of Cádiz

Campus Puerto Real

11519 Puerto Real

Spain

Telefon: +34/60 77 04 404

Fax: +34/95 60 16 253

eMail: jose.castro@uca.es