Back-Saver Sit-and-Reach
Page updated: Evidence reviewed: What this means
The modified back-saver sit-and-reach tests one leg at a time, with the tested leg extended and the other knee bent. The page consistently uses the right-leg table; FitnessGram itself records both sides. Data come from Santos et al. (2014), a nationally representative 2008 sample of 22,048 Portuguese youth aged 10-18. The study states that it used FITNESSGRAM Test Battery v8.0 procedures and fitted weighted, smoothed percentile curves with the LMS method. The published centimetre curves are source-specific and should not be treated as current official FitnessGram score limits.
How to Perform This Test (Protocol)
- Equipment
-
- FitnessGram sit-and-reach box with a fixed measuring scale
- Protocol Steps
-
- Remove shoes and sit facing the box. Extend one leg with its sole against the box; bend the other knee with that foot flat beside the extended knee.
- Place one hand over the other, palms down, and keep the extended knee straight. The bent knee may move sideways, but its sole remains on the floor.
- Reach forward four times and hold the fourth position for at least 1 second while the score is read.
- Record the reached distance for that side, then repeat the procedure with the other leg.
- Scoring
Current FitnessGram administration records each side to the nearest half-inch and caps the score at 12 inches. This page shows the Santos study's smoothed right-leg values converted and published in centimetres.
- Notes
Santos et al. publish separate left- and right-leg curves. This site uses the right leg only for consistency; that is a site choice, not a FitnessGram primary-leg rule. Some published upper centiles exceed the current 12-inch maximum, and the paper does not explain whether research administration, scoring policy, or smoothing accounts for the difference.
Data source: Santos et al. 2014 (FitnessGram) About this study
Reference population: Portuguese children and adolescents aged 10-18 years (n=22,048; 11,373 girls), nationally representative sample collected in 2008
Back-Saver Sit-and-Reach Norms Chart by Age and Sex (cm)
| Age | Sex | Percentile | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 95th | ||
| 10 | Male | 12.0 | 18.4 | 22.4 | 26.2 | 31.4 |
| Female | 13.0 | 19.2 | 23.4 | 27.6 | 33.5 | |
| 11 | Male | 11.2 | 17.6 | 21.7 | 25.7 | 31.1 |
| Female | 13.0 | 19.1 | 23.3 | 27.6 | 33.9 | |
| 12 | Male | 10.5 | 17.0 | 21.2 | 25.4 | 31.1 |
| Female | 13.3 | 19.3 | 23.7 | 28.2 | 34.9 | |
| 13 | Male | 10.3 | 16.8 | 21.3 | 25.6 | 31.7 |
| Female | 13.9 | 20.0 | 24.5 | 29.3 | 36.4 | |
| 14 | Male | 10.6 | 17.3 | 21.9 | 26.5 | 33.0 |
| Female | 14.6 | 20.8 | 25.5 | 30.4 | 37.6 | |
| 15 | Male | 11.1 | 18.0 | 22.9 | 27.8 | 34.8 |
| Female | 15.3 | 21.6 | 26.2 | 31.1 | 38.3 | |
| 16 | Male | 11.8 | 18.9 | 23.9 | 29.1 | 36.7 |
| Female | 15.9 | 22.2 | 26.8 | 31.5 | 38.5 | |
| 17 | Male | 12.5 | 19.5 | 24.6 | 30.0 | 37.9 |
| Female | 16.6 | 23.0 | 27.5 | 32.0 | 38.7 | |
| 18 | Male | 13.0 | 19.9 | 25.0 | 30.4 | 38.5 |
| Female | 17.3 | 23.7 | 28.1 | 32.5 | 38.9 | |
What to expect by age group
At age 13, the middle 50% of the Portuguese reference distribution spans 16.8 to 25.6 cm for boys and 20.0 to 29.3 cm for girls. Girls have higher median values at every age shown. Boys' medians decline from 22.4 cm at age 10 to 21.2 cm at age 12, then rise to 25.0 cm by age 18.
| Age | Males | Females |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 18.4 to 26.2 | 19.2 to 27.6 |
| 11 | 17.6 to 25.7 | 19.1 to 27.6 |
| 12 | 17.0 to 25.4 | 19.3 to 28.2 |
| 13 | 16.8 to 25.6 | 20.0 to 29.3 |
| 14 | 17.3 to 26.5 | 20.8 to 30.4 |
| 15 | 18.0 to 27.8 | 21.6 to 31.1 |
| 16 | 18.9 to 29.1 | 22.2 to 31.5 |
| 17 | 19.5 to 30.0 | 23.0 to 32.0 |
| 18 | 19.9 to 30.4 | 23.7 to 32.5 |
Detailed Breakdowns
Select an age group and sex below for detailed percentile charts, tables, and ratings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this differ from the standard sit-and-reach?
The standard box sit-and-reach tests both legs together. The back-saver version tests each side separately with the other knee bent. The setup and score scale differ, so values from the two protocols are not interchangeable.
Why are only right-leg norms shown?
Santos et al. publish separate left- and right-leg percentiles, while FitnessGram records both sides. This page uses the right-leg table consistently to avoid mixing sides; it does not imply that FitnessGram designates the right leg as the primary score.
Why do some values exceed the current FitnessGram maximum?
Current FitnessGram guidance caps the back-saver sit-and-reach at 12 inches. Some smoothed upper centiles in the Santos table exceed that value after conversion to centimetres. The paper does not explain the discrepancy, so the curves are reproduced as published but should not be interpreted as current official FitnessGram scores.