§ 01
Flexibility
Clinical fitness assessment

Shoulder Flexibility (Behind-Back Reach)

Assess shoulder flexibility and symmetry — important for overhead movements and daily function.

Equipment

None.

The protocol
  1. 01Client stands upright.
  2. 02For the right shoulder: reach the right arm over the right shoulder (elbow pointing up) and the left arm behind the back (elbow pointing down).
  3. 03Try to touch or overlap the fingers of both hands behind the back.
  4. 04Result: Pass (fingers touch or overlap) or Fail (gap between fingers).
  5. 05Repeat on the other side: left arm over the left shoulder, right arm behind.
  6. 06Note any significant asymmetry between sides.
What to watch for
  • Client arching the back or tilting to close the gap.
  • Not testing both sides.
  • Using momentum or jerking to force the fingers closer.
Normative scoring

Pass on both sides: Good flexibility. Pass on one side only: Asymmetry present. Fail on both sides: Limited shoulder flexibility — may benefit from mobility work.

Run it with GainPT

Run this test with branded client reports.

GainPT scores Shoulder Flexibility (Behind-Back Reach) against published normative data and turns it into a clean, GainPT-branded PDF your client keeps. All 47 clinical tests, unlimited retests — free to start, no card required.