Back Scratch Test
Page updated: Evidence reviewed: What this means
The back scratch test, also called the shoulder stretch test, is a standardized modification of the Apley scratch test. It measures upper-body (shoulder) flexibility as the distance between the middle fingers when one hand reaches over the shoulder and the other behind the back. A positive score means the fingers overlap; a negative score means they do not meet. It is part of the Senior Fitness Test battery (Rikli & Jones 1999, n=7,183 US community-dwelling adults aged 60-94). Percentile curves (P5-P95) are from the Senior Fitness Test Manual, 2nd edition (2013), modelled from the same sample. Women scored higher than men across the displayed age brackets. Watch video demonstration
How to Perform This Test (Protocol)
- Equipment
-
- 18-inch (45 cm) ruler
- Protocol Steps
-
- Stand upright.
- During practice, determine which hand-over-shoulder position produces the better score; use that position for the measured trials.
- Reach one hand over the same shoulder, palm facing the back and fingers pointing down the spine. Reach the other hand behind the lower back, palm facing outward and fingers pointing up.
- After two practice trials, align the middle fingers and bring them as close together as possible without grabbing or pulling. Complete two measured trials.
- Scoring
Measure the distance between the tips of the middle fingers. Record as negative if fingers do not touch, positive if they overlap, to the nearest 0.5 inch. Perform two trials; record the best score.
- Notes
Record which hand was over the shoulder. Stop if the movement is painful.
Data source: Rikli & Jones (SFT) About this study
Reference population: Community-dwelling older adults aged 60-94 from 267 sites across 21 US states
Back Scratch Test Norms Chart by Age and Sex (inches)
| Age | Sex | Percentile | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 95th | ||
| 60-64 | Male | -11.3 | -6.6 | -3.4 | -0.2 | 4.5 |
| Female | -6.4 | -3.0 | -0.7 | 1.6 | 5.0 | |
| 65-69 | Male | -12.1 | -7.4 | -4.1 | -0.8 | 3.9 |
| Female | -7.3 | -3.7 | -1.2 | 1.3 | 4.9 | |
| 70-74 | Male | -12.5 | -7.8 | -4.5 | -1.2 | 3.5 |
| Female | -7.9 | -4.2 | -1.7 | 0.8 | 4.5 | |
| 75-79 | Male | -14.0 | -9.0 | -5.6 | -2.2 | 2.8 |
| Female | -8.8 | -4.8 | -2.1 | 0.6 | 4.5 | |
| 80-84 | Male | -14.6 | -9.3 | -5.7 | -2.1 | 3.2 |
| Female | -9.5 | -5.4 | -2.6 | 0.2 | 4.3 | |
| 85-89 | Male | -14.1 | -9.4 | -6.2 | -3.0 | 1.7 |
| Female | -11.3 | -6.9 | -3.9 | -0.9 | 3.5 | |
| 90-94 | Male | -15.1 | -10.4 | -7.2 | -4.0 | 0.7 |
| Female | -13.0 | -8.0 | -4.5 | -1.0 | 3.9 | |
What to expect by age group
Among adults aged 60 to 64, the middle 50% score -6.6 to -0.2 inches for men and -3.0 to +1.6 inches for women (positive means the fingers overlap). Median scores are negative in every age and sex bracket and become more negative overall with age; women score roughly 3 to 5 inches higher than men across the displayed brackets. Scores below -6.6 inches (men) or -3.0 inches (women) are typically below average for this age group; scores above -0.2 inches (men) or +1.6 inches (women) are above average.
| Age | Males | Females |
|---|---|---|
| 60-64 | -6.6 to -0.2 | -3.0 to 1.6 |
| 65-69 | -7.4 to -0.8 | -3.7 to 1.3 |
| 70-74 | -7.8 to -1.2 | -4.2 to 0.8 |
| 75-79 | -9.0 to -2.2 | -4.8 to 0.6 |
| 80-84 | -9.3 to -2.1 | -5.4 to 0.2 |
| 85-89 | -9.4 to -3.0 | -6.9 to -0.9 |
| 90-94 | -10.4 to -4.0 | -8.0 to -1.0 |
Detailed Breakdowns
Select an age group and sex below for detailed percentile charts, tables, and ratings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the back scratch test measure?
Upper-body (shoulder) flexibility, specifically the range of motion needed to reach behind the back. This movement is important for everyday tasks like dressing, reaching a seat belt, or washing one's back.
What is the protocol for the back scratch test?
The full step-by-step protocol is detailed in the 'How to Perform This Test (Protocol)' section above.
What do negative scores mean?
A negative score means the fingers did not meet, for example, -3.0 inches means there was a 3-inch gap between the middle fingers. Negative scores are common and normal, especially in men and at older ages. A score of zero means the fingertips just touched.
Why do women score higher than men?
Women scored higher than men in every age bracket in the cited Senior Fitness Test norms. The source provides separate reference values by sex but does not establish a mechanism for the difference.
Why does this metric only cover ages 60-94?
These pages stop at age 60 because the cited Senior Fitness Test norms cover community-dwelling adults aged 60-94. The values should not be applied to younger adults.
Where do the percentile values come from?
The percentile curves come from the Senior Fitness Test Manual (Rikli & Jones 2013, 2nd ed., ISBN 978-1-4504-1118-9), which models P5 through P95 from the original sample of 7,183 community-dwelling US adults aged 60-94 (Rikli & Jones 1999, DOI). All five percentiles we display (P5, P25, P50, P75, P95) come directly from the source, no approximation is needed.
Related Metrics
Senior Fitness Test Battery
This metric is part of the Senior Fitness Test, a validated 7-test battery for adults aged 60-94.