Range of Joint Motion in College Males

Abstract

Research was performed to determine the voluntary range of joint motion in college males. Two hand-held electrogoniometers were used to take the measurements. A total of thirty-two measurements were taken on eight different joints. Subjects were male college students. The purpose of this research was three-fold. First to update the existing data on male voluntary range of joint motion. Second, a comparison was made with data previously reported by Barter, Emanuel and Truett (1957) and data by Glanville and Kreezer (1937). A final objective was to determine if range of joint motion is a highly specific factor or if mobility in one joint can be used as a prediction of mobility in other joints. Results of this study indicate that, when compared to previously existing data, twenty-two of the thirty-two measurements were found to be significantly different. Of these twenty-two, twenty-one were significantly less than previously reported data. The intercorrelation, using the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation, produced data which suggests that range of joint motion is not strictly a specific factor. Of 496 total correlations, 154 were significant (31%). The results of this study indicate that range of joint motion is not strictly a specific factor, but can be used to predict joint motion capabilities in other joints as well.