Which of the following is typically used to assess flexibility in a basic fitness battery?

• A. Sit-and-Reach
• B. Shuttle Run
• C. Push-Ups
• D. VO2max Test

Answer: (A)

Flexibility is about how far a joint can move through its available range of motion, including the surrounding muscles and connective tissues. In a basic fitness battery, a simple, widely used measure of flexibility is the sit-and-reach test. It targets the hamstrings and lower back by having you sit with legs straight and reach forward along a marked scale; the distance you can reach provides a numeric score of posterior chain flexibility. It’s practical for quick field testing because it needs minimal equipment and is quick to administer, with helpful reference values for different ages and sexes.

The shuttle run measures speed and agility and stresses running performance, not flexibility. Push-ups assess muscular endurance and strength of the upper body, not joint range of motion. The VO2max test gauges maximum aerobic capacity, focused on cardiorespiratory fitness. Because those tests evaluate other fitness components, the sit-and-reach is the typical choice for assessing flexibility in a basic battery.