Assessment of flexibility in young female skaters with the modified Marshall Test

A cross-sectional study was performed on 62 female precision ice skaters to determine whether a modified Marshall Test is a reliable measure of constitutional flexibility in young female athletes. These skaters were from the Colonial Precision Skating Club of Acton, Massachusetts. Chronologic age ranged from 7 to 18 years with an average of 12.5 years (SD, 2.6 years). All skaters were assigned a modified Marshall Test score (Micheli's 5-point score) for both left and right thumbs. This score was then compared with their hamstring-flexibility measure (left and right) and the external and internal rotation (ER and IR, respectively) of their shoulders. Positive linear relationships were found between Micheli's 5-point score (MS) on the right side and both left and right hamstring and shoulder flexibility. However, the left-side MS was positively correlated only with the left hamstring and left shoulder flexibility. We conclude that the modified Marshall test is a reliable predictor of upper and lower extremity flexibility in female adolescent athletes.