Normative data for Functional Reach Test in Indian Children

The maturation of the postural control in children occurs around 10 to 12 years of age. There are various neuromuscular disorders in pediatric age groups that can lead to impairment of balance. Therefore, balance assessment is a very important part of the physical therapy assessment. There are various scales used for balance assessment of which the Functional Reach Test is commonly used. The normative data for the Functional Reach Test has been determined for the older age group of 20–87 years by Duncan P et al and for American pediatric group by Betsy Donahue et al. Differing environmental and social experiences can indirectly impact the motor and balance skills of children belonging to different cultures. No study has been done to formulate normative data for functional reach in Indian population Therefore, in this study the normative data for 5–15 years in Indian population has been determined for the same. And also the correlation of age, height, weight arm-length and gender with the Functional Reach Test has been determined.

Two hundred and two healthy children aged 5–15 years were asked to perform the Functional Reach Test for 3 trials. The maximum reach for each trial was then calculated. The subject performed the reach test without losing balance and with any comfortable strategy.

The normative data for the functional reach test was then determined. The critical values for the reach were calculated using 95% of the confidence interval. There was good correlation between the mean reach and age and height.

This study has determined the normative data for the Functional Reach Test for 5–15 years healthy indian children. Also it has been concluded from the obtained data that the age and height are the major predictors of the mean reach.