+107 The sit and reach test shouldn't be made mandatory in schools. The other fitness tests such as the mile or the push-ups people can improve on, but it's not fair to test students on their flexibility, they are born either flexible, inflexible, or somewhere in between, amirite?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

You can become more flexible by stretching.. and its not like you will fail out of school if you don't have a good reach

by Anonymous 13 years ago

agreed. but it was always beneficial to someone like myself who has short legs, as opposed to those who have long legs. Honestly, the leg length does make a difference. i.e. if a person 6'3" has the same flexible ability as someone who is 4'10", then the 4'10" person will still reach longer.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

People can so imrove their flexibility. yes, some people with shorter legs may have more potential total stretch, but that doesnt mean no one can improve.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Can't be improved enough. I stretch all the time for track and cross country, am very athletic, but I just was not born flexible enough for the test.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

No, if you stretch every day and work at it it WILL improve your flexibility. It just takes time. Its not about just stretching at sport practices or games. Flexibility is something you can improve on, and yes some people are born a bit more flexible then others. It sorta depends on body type. Trust me, I have improved my flexibility from just stretching every day.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

My head touches my knees and I still cannot reach more than 10in... That test is ridiculous.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Try yoga people. It works. There are stretches for that exercise.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Nahhh don't agreee

by Anonymous 13 years ago

That test is ridiculous. I'm athletic but I can't "sit-and-reach" to save my life. And no amount of stretching is going to help.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

The sit-and-reach test still isn't as pointless as the shuttle run...

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I have to do the sit and reach stretch every day, and i actually try to improve, and i have been getting a londer distance each year

by Anonymous 13 years ago

well, some people cant run. they dont have the athletic build. if you wanna be good at anything in gym, just practise.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

anyone without a disability can run if they really work at it. some people just have short hamstrings and even need to go to physical therapy for it, and as a concequence, can't get an A in gym even if they can run well. (like myself)

by Anonymous 13 years ago

It's not like you can't get more flexible. Of course it's a disadvantage if you're not naturally flexible, but if you stretch, it's not like you're never gonna get more flexible. You just have to be dedicated and patient. Stretching for 15 seconds at a time in gym class/practices won't ever get you anywhere. If you hold the stretch every day for 2 minutes, you'll improve tons. I couldn't touch my toes a while ago, now I can put my hands flat on my feet.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

i've never even heard of this, we didn't have to do it at my school...

by Anonymous 13 years ago