Relationships between lower extremity strength and the multi-directional reach test in children aged 7 to 12 years.

Objective: This study investigates the relationships between the Multi-Directional Reach Test (MDRT) and lower extremity strength in typical children.

Methods: The MDRT including forward, backward, leftward, and rightward directions was measured in 60 children aged between 7 and 12 years old with typical development. The lower extremity muscle groups were measured using a hand-held dynamometer.

Results: The reaching score in each direction had positive relationships with the strengths of several lower extremity muscle groups $(r=0.26$ to $0.52,p<0.05)$ . Only the strengths of the hip flexor and knee flexor muscles significantly correlated with the MDRT scores in all directions $(r=0.26$ to $0.50,p<0.05)$ .

Conclusion: This study highlights the strength of the hip and knee flexor muscle groups as being important domain to control balance in all directions. These findings may be used for therapists in planning a balance program to improve the limits of stability.