A Study on the Flexibility Test Methods in Chinese Students

By comparing and analyzing a variety of flexibility testing methods in the world, the paper, considering that the sitting and reaching testing method in China is greatly impacted by the upper and lower extremities, suggests some measures to reform China’s flexibility testing methods in terms of safety, accuracy, simplicity and economicalness. The research shows that: (1) Modified sitting and reaching testing methods have eliminated the effect of the upper and lower limbs and torso length, thus reflecting students’ flexibility more reasonably. (2) In back saver sitting and reaching test, Lumbosacral joint, lumbar intervertebral dis bear little pressure, therefore reducing the impact on Ligament around vertebrae, spine and lower back functional activity, which is a safe, economical, simple flexibility evaluation method. (3) Trunk tension tests are different from sitting and reaching test and can test and evaluate students’ flexibility together with sitting and reaching test in some more professional tests .