Normative Data for Range of Motion and Single-Leg Hop in High School Athletes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to derive normative values for range of motion and single-leg hop tests on athletes with no history of knee injury. Subjects measured for range of motion included 578 healthy males (mean age, 14.5 years) and 311 healthy females (mean age, 14.0 years). Subjects performing single-leg hop included 1,635 healthy males (mean age, 14.5 years) and 873 healthy females (mean age, 14.2 years). Measurements were taken during preseason athletic physicals. Mean range of motion was 5-0-140 for males and 6-0-143 for females. Mean single-leg hop for both legs was 155 cm for males and 121 cm for females. The paper discusses the importance of measuring terminal hyperextension as well as the importance of normal side-to-side variations in ROM and the single-leg hop test. The results of the single-leg hop test should not be used exclusively but rather in conjunction with other information gathered during the clinical visit.