Criterion-related validity of the modified sit-and-reach test as hamstring muscle extensibility measure in young adults

Abstract

Several researches have proposed the modified sit-and-reach test (MSR) as an alternative to measure hamstring muscle extensibility. The objective of this study was to determine the hamstring criterion-related validity of the MSR test. Material and methods. Seventeen and three males (mean age: 22.99 ± 3.39 years) and 71 females (mean age: 23.11 ± 4.34 years) were asked to perform two trials of sit-and-reach (SR), MSR, and straight leg raise (left and right leg) tests in a randomized order. Results. Correlation values between the MSR and straight leg raise (left and right leg, respectively) were low for males (r = 0.28-0.32, p < 0.05) and moderate for females (r = 0.63-0.64, p < 0.01). However, the correlation values between the SR test and straight leg raise were slightly greater in both males (r = 0.44-0.48, p < 0.01) and females (r = 0.73-0.75, p < 0.01). Conclusions. The practitioners may employ the traditional SR over the MSR to measure hams- tring extensibility, because the SR reaches better criterion-related validity in males and females, and the protocol of measure is easier.