Height is not a good predictor of shoulder flexibility

Michelle Lee DNA & Evolution 12:30 Section March 20, 2014

Abstract In order to test for a correlation between height and shoulder flexibility, I conducted an online survey where participants carried out a shoulder flexibility test and self-reported the results as well as their height. After plotting the results, it seems that there is no correlation between the two traits.

Introduction From years of experience as a shorter than average person, I have noticed that the vertically challenged population spends more time reaching for things than our taller peers would. To explore the effects of what is assumed to be constant stretching for shorter people, I decided to see if there is a correlation between shoulder flexibility and height. As a secondary question, I also wanted to see if a persons dominant hand was related to which shoulder was more flexible. My hypothesis was that shorter people should have more flexible shoulders due to increased stretching. Under the same assumption that increased usage leads to increased flexibility, I also hypothesized that a persons dominant hand should be the attached to the more flexible shoulder. Method I set up an online survey that asked for the participants height in inches, their dominant hand (whether they are left-handed or right-handed), and results of a self-conducted shoulder flexibility test. The shoulder flexibility test consisted of stretching one hand over the shoulder and trying to reach the opposite hand, which is attached to the shoulder being measured. Hand overlaps meant negative values, touching fingertips meant a zero value, and the distance between two hands gave a positive value. I accumulated data from 51 participants through the class email listserv as well as social media. Values of the flexibility test results were plotted against height to see if there was any correlation. Figure 1 shows the predicted results for if my hypothesis was supported and those for the null hypothesis. If correct, there would be a visible trend of flexibility test values increasing in positivity along with height. I also counted up numbers of people where the more flexible shoulder was attached to the dominant hand, the non-dominant hand, or if there was no difference (neutral). Figure 2 shows how the data would look if my hypothesis was correct versus the null hypothesis. If my hypothesis was supported, the number of people with higher flexibility in the dominant shoulder would be significantly higher than the other two values. Results As seen in Figure 3, the flexibility test values were scattered all over the place, regardless of what height the participant was. Figure 4 also shows that there was no significant difference between

the number of people with more flexible dominant shoulders compared to non-dominant shoulders and equal flexibility in both shoulders. Discussion After comparing my results to the predicted results, it seems that for both questions, the data seems to point in the direction of a null hypothesis. Since I have gather 51 data points, it seems that sample size is sufficient enough for this to be pretty close to the truth. Nevertheless, there were some areas for error in the experiment. Since the results were self-reported on an internet survey, I have to trust that these are the actual results with no way of knowing the truth. Also, there is no consistency in measurement methods since its done by a different person each time. In addition, the variation in extent of stretching during the test from person to person could also make for skewed data. An alternative hypothesis could be that the results of this flexibility test is highly dependent on arm length rather than height. Arm length is a trait that seems to be inherited rather than stretched out by nature. For a follow-up study, one could collect data on arm length, height, and shoulder flexibility test results from parents and offspring. This way, one could plot arm length and height ratio against flexibility test results or just arm length against flexibility test results to look for correlations. Having this data for both parents and offspring means that one could go even further to test for heritability. I believe that if I do carry out the experiment, there will be a correlation between arm length and results of the flexibility test.

Figures Mentioned

Figure 1 a) These are the predicted results if height and flexibility were correlated. With increases in height, there should be increases in distance between fingers. b) These are the predicted results in the case of the null hypothesis being correct. There would be no apparent relationship between height and flexibility.

Figure 2 a) These are the predicted results for if dominant shoulders were more flexible. The # of people should be significantly higher than other shoulders. b) For the null hypothesis, there should be no significant difference between the three categories.

Left Shoulder
10 10

Right Shoulder
Flexibility (in)
5 0 -5 -10 55 60 65 70 75

Flexibilty (in)

5 0 -5 -10 55 60 65 70 75

Height (in)

Height (in)

Figure 3 The results of the experiment seems to show no correlation between height and shoulder flexibility. There seems to be an equal amount of tall, flexible people and short, flexible people.

Shoulder Flexiblity in Relation to Dominant Shoulder

25 20

# of people

15 10 5 0 Dominant Non-Dominant Neutral

More Flexible Shoulder

Figure 4 The number of people with more flexible dominant shoulder is almost equal to the numbers for the other two categories. This data seems to support the null hypothesis.