Reach (physical measurement)
Encyclopedia
Arm span or reach is the physical measurement of the length from one end of an individual's arm
s (measured at the finger
tips) to the other when raised parallel
to the ground at shoulder
height at a one-hundred eighty degree angle. The average reach correlates to the person's height
. Age and sex have to be taken into account to best predict height from arm span.
, boxing
, and swimming. For instance, boxer Sonny Liston
had an 84 inches (213 cm) reach despite being only 72+1/2 in in height. This unusually long reach allowed him to hit opposing boxers from relatively safe distances where they could not reach him.
, as it forces the lifter through a wider range of motion.
) will measure from one end of the tip of the finger to the other. This method can be easily done at home and it is not necessary to see a physician, unless for a checkup.
Genetic disorders:
Arm
In human anatomy, the arm is the part of the upper limb between the shoulder and the elbow joints. In other animals, the term arm can also be used for analogous structures, such as one of the paired forelimbs of a four-legged animal or the arms of cephalopods...
s (measured at the finger
Finger
A finger is a limb of the human body and a type of digit, an organ of manipulation and sensation found in the hands of humans and other primates....
tips) to the other when raised parallel
Parallel (geometry)
Parallelism is a term in geometry and in everyday life that refers to a property in Euclidean space of two or more lines or planes, or a combination of these. The assumed existence and properties of parallel lines are the basis of Euclid's parallel postulate. Two lines in a plane that do not...
to the ground at shoulder
Shoulder
The human shoulder is made up of three bones: the clavicle , the scapula , and the humerus as well as associated muscles, ligaments and tendons. The articulations between the bones of the shoulder make up the shoulder joints. The major joint of the shoulder is the glenohumeral joint, which...
height at a one-hundred eighty degree angle. The average reach correlates to the person's height
Human height
Human height is the distance from the bottom of the feet to the top of the head in a human body standing erect.When populations share genetic background and environmental factors, average height is frequently characteristic within the group...
. Age and sex have to be taken into account to best predict height from arm span.
Advantages
An above-average reach is advantageous in sports such as basketballBasketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, and swimming. For instance, boxer Sonny Liston
Sonny Liston
Charles L. "Sonny" Liston was a professional boxer and ex-convict known for his toughness, punching power, and intimidating appearance who became world heavyweight champion in 1962 by knocking out Floyd Patterson in the first round...
had an 84 inches (213 cm) reach despite being only 72+1/2 in in height. This unusually long reach allowed him to hit opposing boxers from relatively safe distances where they could not reach him.
Disadvantages
Because any decrease in height will cause an increase in the ratio of arm-span to height, a large span-to-height ratio may sometimes be an indicator of a health problem that has caused a decrease in height. Large arm-span is also mechanically disadvantageous on the bench pressBench press
The bench press is an exercise of the upper body. For bodybuilding purposes, it is used to stimulate the pectorals, deltoids, and triceps. While on his or her back, the person performing the bench press lowers a weight to the level of the chest, then pushes it back up until the arm is straight...
, as it forces the lifter through a wider range of motion.
Procedure
To measure the arm span, the person must be standing up against the wall with their arms extended sideways at a ninety degree angle. A person with a length measuring tool (usually a tape measureTape measure
A tape measure or measuring tape is a flexible form of ruler. It consists of a ribbon of cloth, plastic, fiber glass, or metal strip with linear-measurement markings. It is a common measuring tool. Its flexibility allows for a measure of great length to be easily carried in pocket or toolkit and...
) will measure from one end of the tip of the finger to the other. This method can be easily done at home and it is not necessary to see a physician, unless for a checkup.
See also
- WingspanWingspanThe wingspan of an airplane or a bird, is the distance from one wingtip to the other wingtip. For example, the Boeing 777 has a wingspan of about ; and a Wandering Albatross caught in 1965 had a wingspan of , the official record for a living bird.The term wingspan, more technically extent, is...
- Ape indexApe indexApe index, or ape factor, or gorilla index is a measure of the ratio of an individual's arm span relative to their height. A typical ratio is 1, as identified by the Roman writer, architect and engineer Vitruvius prior to 15 BC...
Genetic disorders:
- Marfan syndromeMarfan syndromeMarfan syndrome is a genetic disorder of the connective tissue. People with Marfan's tend to be unusually tall, with long limbs and long, thin fingers....
- long limbs to height ratio