Which test has acceptable validity and reliability for assessing both hamstring and lumbar flexibility or extensibility ?
Dear Ibrahim,
In my opinion you shoed assess it separately.
Sit-and-reach (SR) tests in which a fingertips-to-tangent feet distance is measured are probably the most widely used lineal measures of flexibility. The ST tests is useful for hamstring extensibility estimation, but not for estimating lumbar extensibility.
Overall sit-and-reach tests have a moderate mean criterion-related validity for estimating hamstring extensibility, but they have a low mean validity for estimating lumbar extensibility. Among all the sit-and-reach test protocols, the Classic sit-and-reach test seems to be the best option to estimate hamstring extensibility
End scores (e.g., the Classic sit-and-reach test) are a better indicator of hamstring extensibility than the modifications that incorporate fingers-to-box distance (e.g., the Modified sit-and-reach test). When angular tests such as straight leg raise or knee extension tests cannot be used, sit-and-reach tests seem to be a useful field test alternative to estimate hamstring extensibility, but not to estimate lumbar extensibility.
To assess lumbar extensibility other widely used tests such as the Macrae & Wright or Single/Double inclinometer methods should be used. Nevertheless, as in the application of any field fitness test, evaluators must be aware that the results of SR tests are simply an estimation and, therefore, not a direct measure of the hamstring extensibility.
Hope this can be useful,
All the best,
Telmo Firmino
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