This article is about the physical measurement. For other uses of the term, see Reach

Arm span or reach (also known as wingspan) is the physical measurement of the length from one end of an individual's arms (measured at the fingertips) 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.

Contents 1 Advantages 2 Disadvantages 3 Procedure 4 See also 5 Reference

[edit] Advantages

An above-average reach is advantageous in sports such as basketball, boxing, and swimming. For instance, boxer Sonny Liston had an 84-inch (213 cm) reach despite being only 72 inches (183 cm) in height. This unusually long reach allowed him to hit opposing boxers from relatively safe distances where they could not reach him.

Fish out of water Andrew Barnabas B. Brown also has exceptionally long arms measuring in at 82-inch (208 cm). He is an excellent swimmer.

[edit] 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: osteoporosis or excessive spinal curvature, for example.

[edit] 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 measure) 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.

[edit] See also

• Wingspan

[edit] Reference

• Tan, P. Maw "Arm Span to Height Ratio Is Related to Severity of Dyspnea, Reduced Spirometry Volumes, and Right Heart Strain" "Chest", September 4, 2008.