Functional Reach and Lateral Reach Tests in Turkish Children

Aims: The functional reach test (FRT) and lateral reach test (LRT) provide important measures of postural stability. The aims of this study were to (1) establish the normative values for FRT and LRT, and (2) examine the effects of age, gender, and various anthropometric measurements on FRT and LRT. Methods: Two hundred eighty children, aged 6-12 years, completed the study. One hundred fifty-two subjects were females. The mean age was 9.0 +/- 2.0 years. Each child performed two trials of FRT and LRT. Results: No significant differences were detected in any age group between males and females. The normal values of FRT ranged between 23.0 and 36.5 cm, and that of LRT between 18.0 and 28.0 cm. Height, length of upper and lower extremity, and arm span had a higher correlation with FRT. Age and weight showed a good correlation with FRT. Age, height, weight, length of upper and lower extremity, and arm span showed good correlation with LRT. Conclusions: These normative data will be useful for clinicians in the assessment of balance of individual children and in the diagnosis of potential balance deficits at an early age in the Turkish population.