72-Inch Reach: Understanding Wingspan, Standing Reach, and Its Impact on Sports and Activities

Is 72 inch reach good?

A 72-inch reach is generally considered above average for most adults, particularly when referring to wingspan (arm span), and can offer distinct advantages in various sports and activities, though its "goodness" is highly context-dependent.

Understanding Reach: What Does It Mean?

In exercise science and kinesiology, "reach" typically refers to one of two primary measurements:

• Wingspan (Arm Span): This is the measurement from the tip of the middle finger of one hand to the tip of the middle finger of the other hand, with the arms outstretched horizontally from the body. It's often compared to an individual's height.
• Standing Reach: This measures the maximum height an individual can touch with one arm fully extended overhead while standing flat-footed. This is particularly relevant in sports like basketball.

When someone asks "Is 72 inch reach good?", they are most commonly referring to their wingspan. A 72-inch wingspan translates to exactly 6 feet.

Average Reach Measurements and Context

The average adult human wingspan is typically very close to their height. This 1:1 ratio is often referred to as an "ape index" of 0.

• For Adult Males: The average height in the U.S. is around 5 feet 9 inches (69 inches). Therefore, an average wingspan would also be around 69 inches.
• For Adult Females: The average height in the U.S. is around 5 feet 4 inches (64 inches). An average wingspan would similarly be around 64 inches.

Considering these averages, a 72-inch wingspan is notably longer than the average for both sexes.

Is 72 Inches "Good"? A Contextual Analysis

To determine if a 72-inch reach is "good," we must consider it relative to an individual's height and the specific activity:

• Relative to Average Population: For most adults, a 72-inch reach is indeed above average. If your height is, for example, 5 feet 8 inches (68 inches), a 72-inch wingspan gives you a positive ape index of +4 inches, indicating proportionally long arms. This is generally considered advantageous.
• Relative to Your Own Height:
  • If your height is less than 72 inches (e.g., 5'10" or 5'11"): Your 72-inch reach gives you a positive ape index, which is often beneficial.
  • If your height is exactly 72 inches (6'0"): Your 72-inch reach means your wingspan is proportional to your height, which is considered average.
  • If your height is greater than 72 inches (e.g., 6'2"): While 72 inches is still a substantial reach in absolute terms, it would represent a slightly negative ape index relative to your height, meaning your arms are proportionally shorter than your height.

In absolute terms, a 72-inch reach is a significant dimension, often associated with longer levers and a wider sphere of influence in movement.

Factors Influencing Reach

Several factors contribute to an individual's reach:

• Genetics: The primary determinant of bone length and overall skeletal structure.
• Height: Taller individuals generally have longer arms and thus a longer reach.
• Limb Proportions: Some individuals naturally have proportionally longer arms relative to their torso or legs, leading to a higher ape index.
• Flexibility and Mobility: Optimal shoulder joint mobility and thoracic spine extension can maximize effective reach by allowing full arm extension without restriction.
• Posture: Chronic poor posture, such as rounded shoulders (kyphosis), can effectively shorten reach by limiting the full extension and rotation of the shoulder girdle.

Implications of Reach in Sports and Activities

A 72-inch reach can be a significant asset in many physical endeavors:

• Basketball: Longer reach aids in rebounding, blocking shots, shooting over defenders, and stealing the ball.
• Combat Sports (Boxing, MMA): A longer reach allows a fighter to maintain distance, land strikes from further away, and keep opponents at bay.
• Swimming: A longer arm stroke can translate to greater propulsion per stroke, improving efficiency and speed.
• Rock Climbing: The ability to reach distant holds can be a crucial advantage, reducing the need for dynamic movements or difficult body positions.
• Rowing: A longer reach contributes to a longer stroke length, potentially generating more power per stroke.
• Weightlifting:
  • Bench Press: A longer reach means a greater range of motion, which can make the lift more challenging but also build more strength through a fuller ROM.
  • Deadlift: A longer reach can reduce the distance the bar needs to travel to lockout, potentially making it easier to get into a strong starting position. Conversely, the longer lever can increase the moment arm, challenging the lower back if not properly braced.

Can You Improve Your Reach?

While you cannot change your skeletal arm length after growth plates have fused, you can optimize your effective reach:

• Improve Shoulder Mobility: Regular stretching and mobility exercises for the shoulder joint (e.g., internal/external rotation, flexion, extension) can ensure your arm can extend fully without restriction.
• Enhance Thoracic Spine Mobility: A flexible upper back allows for better overhead arm positioning, contributing to greater standing reach.
• Correct Posture: Strengthening postural muscles (rhomboids, traps, erector spinae) and stretching tight anterior muscles (pecs) can alleviate rounded shoulders, allowing for a more upright posture and full arm extension.
• Sport-Specific Technique: Learning proper technique in activities like throwing, swimming, or boxing can maximize the use of your natural reach.

Practical Applications for Training and Performance

For fitness enthusiasts and trainers, understanding reach has practical implications:

• Individualized Training Programs: Acknowledge a client's specific limb lengths. For someone with a 72-inch reach, exercises like overhead presses might require more attention to shoulder stability and mobility, while deadlifts might be more accessible from the floor.
• Leveraging Advantages: If a client has a long reach, encourage participation in sports where this is an asset.
• Addressing Challenges: For exercises where long levers might create a disadvantage (e.g., a deeper squat for a tall person), modify the exercise or emphasize specific strength training to support the longer range of motion.
• Performance Optimization: Integrate mobility and posture work to ensure the client is getting the most out of their natural reach.

Conclusion: Beyond the Number

A 72-inch reach is, in most cases, an advantageous physical attribute, particularly as a wingspan measurement for the general adult population. It provides a larger sphere of influence and can be a significant asset in numerous sports and physical activities. However, the true "goodness" of any physical characteristic is always relative to an individual's overall physique, their specific goals, and the demands of the activity. While you can't alter your skeletal dimensions, optimizing your mobility, posture, and technique ensures you make the most of the reach you possess.