How to do the test
Reach one hand over its shoulder and the other up the middle of the back. Bring the middle fingers toward each other without forcing the movement. Measure the gap or overlap.
Understanding your result
Fingertips meeting is 0. Record a gap as a negative number and an overlap as a positive number. The ranges below are in inches.
Normal range, signed inches
These ranges represent the middle 50% of the reference group. Scores outside the range are below or above average for that group.
Loading comparison ranges…
Source: Jones CJ, Rikli RE. “Measuring functional fitness of older adults.” The Journal on Active Aging. March–April 2002, page 28.
Before you start
Use a stable setup and stop for chest pain, severe breathlessness, dizziness, new pain, or loss of balance. Ask a clinician whether testing is suitable if you have symptoms or activity restrictions.