4 Chapter 4: Flexibility and agility testing
Melissa Markofski
Background
Flexibility
Flexibility is one of the five components of physical fitness. When prescribing an exercise prescription that includes exercises to increase flexibility, the exercises can be static, ballistic, or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. Flexibility can be influenced by many factors, including muscle properties, physical activity and exercise, anatomical structure, age, and sex.
To test flexibility, goniometers, sit-and-reach tests, and functional movement screenings are the most commonly used methods. Testing for flexibility is highly specific, meaning it only relates to the specific joint being tested. For this reason, a comprehensive flexibility assessment will include several measures. For the purpose of this lab, we will use some of the more popular methods to conduct a limited assessment of flexibility.
Agility
Agility relates to effectively changing direction, velocity, or mode in response to a stimulus. It is an important skill for many sports activities. For example, in football and soccer the ability to quickly change directions is a desirable skill. Some of the tests used to test agility, such as the hexagon test, can also be used as a drill to improve agility.
Class activity
Activity 1: Goniometer measures
Equipment: Goniometer
Participant: Range of motion (ROM) of participants can be measured on one or more joints. Participants without orthopedic limitations can perform sit-and-reach tests, agility tests, and functional movement testing.
Additional reading: Textbook REP pp 121-184 and tables referenced in these pages
Instructions:
- Using a goniometer and the instructions in REP Table 5.1, measure hip flexion, hip extension, or glenohumeral flexion. Table 5.1 will instruct you on where to place the goniometer.
- Measure twice and calculate the average.
- If the two measures differ by more than 3 degrees, collect a third measurement.
Video #1: Example of Hip Flexion ROM measurement with goniometer
Video #2: Example of Hip Extension ROM measurement with goniometer
Video #3: Example of Glenohumeral Flexion ROM measurement with goniometer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CcnTvkjI_0
Practice Understanding ROM measurements:
1. Answer the questions in the activity box below.
1. Make your own goniometer at home https://www.instructables.com/id/Goniometer-for-Joint-Range-of-Motion-Measurement/
2. Practice measuring hip flexion, hip extension, and glenohumeral flexion on a willing participant.
3. Compare their results with table 5.1 in your textbook
Activity 2: Assess hip and hamstring flexibility using a standard sit-and-reach test
Equipment: Sit-and-reach box (or a meter stick/measuring tape for an at-home version)
Participant: Participants without orthopedic limitations can perform the sit-and-reach test. If there are concerns about the back and/or hamstring, a modified test can be used instead (bend one knee to form a “4”)
Additional reading: Textbook REP pp 121-184 and tables referenced in these pages
Instructions:
- Sit on the floor with back against the wall, knees extended, and feet flat against the inside of the box and the medial edges of the feet six inches apart from each other.
- Keeping knees fully extended and arms stretched in front of the body, reach as far as possible along the top of the box.
- The hands must be flat and pronated (can overlap or just touch) and stay parallel to the ground.
- Attempt three times (no bouncing between attempts!) and use the best of the three measures to compare to REP Table 5.2.
Video #1: Example of how to perform a sit-and-reach test with a sit-and-reach box
To use with the table in your text, have the heels of your feet resting at 26cm on the measuring tape/meter stick. If you do not have a measuring tape, you can use string or paper and measure after your test.
Perform a sit-and-reach V test at home:
1. Use the instructions above, and Video #2 for reference, set up and perform this test.
2. Determine your flexibility fitness category by using Table 5.2 in your textbook.
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Additional practice determining flexibility category:
1. Determine the flexibility category:
A 32 year old male had 3 sit-and-reach attempts of 30cm, 32cm, and 28cm. What was his fitness category?
(Assume the “zero” point was set at 26cm)
Activity 3: T-test
Equipment: Stopwatch, cones
Participant: Everyone who does not have a relevant orthopedic limitation will participate.
Additional reading: This website has an illustration of the set-up for the T-test and the norms data table you will use to categorize your result: https://www.professionalsoccercoaching.com/agility-drills/t-test-agility
Video: Demonstration of an agility T-test:
Instructions:
Note: Every participant runs two trials of the T-test. Before the two times trials, run one or two T-tests at submaximal effort to warm-up and familiarize yourself with the test. The position for the test is always facing the top part of the T (no rotating) and touching the base of the cones.
- Start at cone A and face cone B.
- When told to start, run forward and touch the base of cone B.
- Shuffle to the left and touch the base of cone C.
- Shuffle to the right and touch the base of cone D.
- Shuffle to the left and touch the base of cone B.
- Run backwards and past cone A.
- The clock should be stopped when the participant runs past cone A.
Perform a T-test:
1. Follow the instructions above to perform a T-test.
2. Record the time of your two trial runs.
3. Using your fastest time, find your fitness category using the link above.
Activity 4: Hexagon test
Equipment: Stopwatch, hexagon tape outline
Participant: Everyone who does not have a relevant orthopedic limitation will participate.
Hexagon test set-up: Each side of the hexagon is 24 in. in length. Each angle is 120 degrees. The hexagon can be made with tape, drawn with chalk, or any similar setup.
Video: How to conduct (and participate in!) the test:
Instructions:
Note: Everyone does this test twice, once each at clockwise and counterclockwise rotation. Warm-up by practicing the test in both directions at a submaximal effort. For the test, if you fail to jump over the line (or land on it) or take an extra step, the test is stopped and restarted after time for recovery.
- Start in the middle of the hexagon.
- Starting with the line in front of you, jump over the line and back to the center.
- Continue by jumping over the next line in the clockwise or counterclockwise rotation.
- The timer is stopped after the participant has jumped over all six sides three times (three complete passes) and returns to the center.
- Compare your clockwise and counterclockwise times to each other and this table (numbers listed are seconds): https://wiki.ubc.ca/File:Normative_Data_(National_Norms)_for_the_Hexagon_Agility_Test.png
Perform a Hexagon Test:
1. Follow the instructions above to make a hexagon and perform the test.
2. Record your times for both the clockwise and counterclockwise trials.
3. Compare your times to the Normative Data (National Norms) for this test.
Activity 5 (Optional Activities): Agility drills
If you are interested in more agility drills, here are a couple of examples. These are not required for the lab, but are optional activities.
Agility practice with ladder
Run through the ladder twice for each of these, alternating lead foot or direction (as appropriate): double run (run through ladder, and both feet have to be in the box before running to the next box), side jumps (face the side of the ladder and jump through each box), and in and out (face side of ladder, and jump in and out of the boxes—over the red line).
Agility practice with agility balls.
Stand ~ 10 feet from your partner. Throw the ball about halfway between the two of you, and the other person must “catch” the ball.
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