Is it different for streched mucles fibers to do the seat-and-reach test with legs open (12 cm), instead of performing with legs united? Is there any article that evaluated that?
There is a huge variation in protocols , in several studies , that does not mean that as a result of a variation on the same protocol is founded on different muscle groups . The sit and reach test , measures the physical capacity of flexibility, and the various existing protocols , only justified as standardization of scales or materials for testing.
Shoulder width apart is also used sometimes so I guess 12cm is also fine.
(eg. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3435891/ )
As Mr. Andre said, there is a huge variation in protocols for sit and reach test.
The distance between legs is another test, e.g., the movement is more global because you could measure the elongation synnergy of more muscles/rendons/etc by adding the adductors intervention, the other muscles participated in other angle, etc. In addition, 12 cm could be relatively different for tall and small persons. If you are searching for a concrete muscle testing I suggest to use legs united and ad another specific for adductors if you need. If you are searching for a more general test, why not using a bigger distance and relative to leg length (use an angle) . Inimpaired or aged persons could be an alternative to classical united legs, in fact we use this measuring only one leg while the senor is sit because there are a lot of persons than could not afford the initial position.
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