# Arm span > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Arm_span > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Arm_span.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arm_span > Source revision: 1356856831 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Distance from finger tips to finger tips}} {{about|the physical measurement||Reach (disambiguation){{!}}Reach}} {{Multiple issues| {{too few opinions|date=February 2015}} {{More citations needed|date=April 2024}} }} [[File:Pāvels Šteinbors LVA.jpg|350px|thumb|Arm span and functional reach is important in [football](/source/association_football) and many other [sports](/source/sports).]] thumb '''Arm span''' or '''reach''' (sometimes referred to as [wingspan](/source/wingspan), or spelled '''armspan''') is the physical measurement of the length from one end of an individual's [arm](/source/arm)s (measured at the [finger](/source/finger)tips) to the other when raised [parallel](/source/Parallel_(geometry)) to the ground at [shoulder](/source/shoulder) height at a 90° angle. The arm span measurement is usually very close to the [person's height](/source/human_height). Age, sex, and ethnicity{{cite journal | vauthors = Reeves SL, Varakamin C, Henry CJ | title = The relationship between arm-span measurement and height with special reference to gender and ethnicity | journal = European Journal of Clinical Nutrition | volume = 50 | issue = 6 | pages = 398–400 | date = June 1996 | pmid = 8793422 }} have to be taken into account to best predict height from arm span.{{cite journal | vauthors = Capderou A, Berkani M, Becquemin MH, Zelter M | title = Reconsidering the arm span-height relationship in patients referred for spirometry | journal = The European Respiratory Journal | volume = 37 | issue = 1 | pages = 157–63 | date = January 2011 | pmid = 20530045 | doi = 10.1183/09031936.00199209 | doi-access = free }} Arm span may be used as a height measurement when it cannot be obtained for health reasons. ==Arm span in sports== An above-average reach may be advantageous in sports such as [Australian rules football](/source/Australian_rules_football), [basketball](/source/basketball), [tennis](/source/tennis), [boxing](/source/boxing), [mixed martial arts](/source/mixed_martial_arts), [volleyball](/source/volleyball), [discus throw](/source/discus_throw), [fencing](/source/fencing), [rock climbing](/source/rock_climbing), and [swimming](/source/swimming). For instance, boxer [Sonny Liston](/source/Sonny_Liston), while 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) tall, had a reach of 213 cm (7 ft 0 in).David J. Epstein, ''The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance'' (New York: Current, 2013), [https://books.google.com/books?id=00eKDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA135&dq=Sonny+Liston p 135]. Another example is former UFC Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight Champion [Jon Jones](/source/Jon_Jones), who is 193 cm (6 ft 4 in) tall, but has an advantageous reach of 215 cm (7 ft 0.5 in).{{cite web|url= https://howtheyplay.com/individual-sports/10-MMA-Fighters-with-Abnormal-Ape-Index |title= 12 MMA Fighters With Incredible Ape Indices |publisher=UFC.com|accessdate=November 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006125255/https://howtheyplay.com/individual-sports/10-MMA-Fighters-with-Abnormal-Ape-Index |archive-date=6 October 2014}} This unusually long reach has allowed them to hit from relatively safe distances where opposing fighters cannot hit back. However, a long arm span is mechanically disadvantageous on the bench press. ===Arm span, functional reach and joint centration=== {{See also|Joint centration}} 400px|thumb|Arm span and the functional reach which is influenced by it is an important factor in basketball and other sports. A person's arm span is influenced by the positioning and alignment of their joints and especially their shoulder joints. Joint centration is when joints are optimally positioned and aligned in a centered way both when a person is still and when they are moving. In regard to the shoulders, whereby they are centrated they are broader set and the arm span is increased. This is considered relatively to if they were decentrated i.e. if the shoulders were hunched forwards as part of a person's usual posture, they would not be optimally positioned and aligned and their arm span would be reduced.{{cite book |last1=Edelle C. |first1=Field-Fote |title=Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation |date=2009 |publisher=F. A. Davis |location=Philadelphia |isbn=978-0-8036-1717-9 |page=164}} Neck (cervical spine) decentration is a primary catalyst for shoulder decentration due to the way in which the joints influence each other in a kinetic chain.{{cite book |last1=Cohen |first1=Steven |title=Clinics in Sports Medicine |date=May 2025 |publisher=Elsevier |location=Philadelphia |isbn=9780443297977 |chapter=The Baseball Athlete}} For example, a person with the [forward head posture](/source/forward_head_posture) condition will also usually have the [rounded shoulder posture](/source/rounded_shoulder_posture) condition.{{cite book |last1=Edelle C. |first1=Field-Fote |title=Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation |date=2009 |publisher=F. A. Davis |location=Philadelphia |isbn=978-0-8036-1717-9 |page=164}} As such, in order to achieve maximum arm span, without straining, it is also necessary that the neck, and other joints, are also positioned and aligned optimally. Arm span influences a person's functional reach (how far they can reach forward to achieve a practical goal while maintaining their sense of balance) and the biomechanical leverage which can be applied by their arms.{{cite book |last1=Foran |first1=Bill |title=Complete Conditioning for Basketball: National Basketball Strength and Conditioning Association |date=2026 |publisher=Human Kinetics |location=Champaign |isbn=978-1-7182-1660-0 |pages=14-15}} Both of which are useful in many competitive physical events. For these reasons, sport and athletic training regimes seek to optimise a person's arm span and maximise functional reach efficiency by performing various exercises which centrate the joints, thereby also improving their respective stability and mobility, and enhance postural control.{{cite book |last1=Foran |first1=Bill |title=Complete Conditioning for Basketball: National Basketball Strength and Conditioning Association |date=2026 |publisher=Human Kinetics |location=Champaign |isbn=978-1-7182-1660-0 |pages=4-5}} Such sports include basketball,{{cite web |last1=Fu |first1=Dr. Michael |title=3 Tips for Shoulder Injury Prevention |url=https://nbpa.com/grassroots/blog/3-tips-for-shoulder-injury-prevention |website=NBPA |publisher=National Basketball Players Association |access-date=6 May 2026}} baseball,{{cite book |last1=Cohen |first1=Steven |title=Clinics in Sports Medicine |date=May 2025 |publisher=Elsevier |location=Philadelphia |isbn=9780443297977 |chapter=The Baseball Athlete}}, tennis,{{cite web |last1=Vagy, Jared; Matsumoto, Tyson |title=Reaching Alignment: Joint Centration for Athletes |url=https://www.medbridge.com/blog/reaching-alignment-joint-centration-for-athletes |website=medbridge |access-date=29 May 2026}} boxing and MMA. ==Procedure== The most common and easily accessible method of measuring armspan uses the demi-span. Using a [tape measure](/source/tape_measure), measure from the individual's sternal notch (center of the [breastbone](/source/Sternum)) to their middle finger as it is stretched out to one side, then double the demi-span for the actual armspan measurement. Demi-span is used because measuring from fingertip to fingertip is difficult, requiring two people or markings on a wall. ===Height estimation=== For bed-ridden patients, direct measurement of height is typically impractical. Since on average, a person's arm-span and height are equal, the measured span may be used as a good estimate of height.{{Cite web |url= http://www.rxkinetics.com/height_estimate.html |title=Estimating height in bedridden patients |last=Tharp |first=Rick | name-list-style = vanc | work = RxKinetics |access-date=2018-09-07}} ==Arm span in healthcare== [[File:Kyphosis Degenerative.png|thumb|A person with [Kyphosis](/source/Kyphosis) (right) will also have [rounded shoulder posture](/source/rounded_shoulder_posture) and [forward head posture](/source/forward_head_posture) meaning that their arm span and functional reach is reduced.]] Arm span is sometimes used when a height measurement is needed but the individual cannot stand on a traditional [stadiometer](/source/stadiometer) or against a wall due to abnormalities of the back or legs, such as [scoliosis](/source/scoliosis), [osteoporosis](/source/osteoporosis), [amputation](/source/amputation)s, or those who are confined to a bed or use a wheelchair. Other, possibly more accurate measuring techniques include knee length or [recumbent](/source/Lying_(position)) length when possible.{{cite journal | vauthors = Froehlich-Grobe K, Nary DE, Van Sciver A, Lee J, Little TD | title = Measuring height without a stadiometer: empirical investigation of four height estimates among wheelchair users | journal = American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | volume = 90 | issue = 8 | pages = 658–66 | date = August 2011 | pmid = 21681063 | pmc = 3148840 | doi = 10.1097/PHM.0b013e31821f6eb2 }} 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 caused a vertical height loss such as postural changes due to ageing or any spinal conditions such as [degenerative disc disease](/source/degenerative_disc_disease). == See also == * [Ape index](/source/Ape_index) * [Human body](/source/Human_body) * [Marfan syndrome](/source/Marfan_syndrome) – high limbs to height ratio * [Fathom](/source/Fathom) == References == {{reflist}} === Further reading === {{refbegin}} * {{cite journal | vauthors = Tan MP, Wynn NN, Umerov M, Henderson A, Gillham A, Junejo S, Bansal SK | title = Arm span to height ratio is related to severity of dyspnea, reduced spirometry volumes, and right heart strain | journal = Chest | volume = 135 | issue = 2 | pages = 448–454 | date = February 2009 | pmid = 18849402 | doi = 10.1378/chest.08-1270 }} {{refend}} {{Use Oxford spelling|date=November 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Arm Span}} Category:Anthropometry [fr:Allonge](/source/fr%3AAllonge) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Arm span](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arm_span) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arm_span?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.