Tape measures are used to measure flexibility in people and materials. They have various models, including handheld devices and larger ones for material testing. Tape measures are used in physical rehabilitation, product development, and tire testing. Personal trainers and physiotherapists use handheld tape measures to assess flexibility levels. The types and features of tape measures vary, with some having digital displays and programmable functions.
A tape measure is a measuring tool used to determine the degree of arc a person or material is capable of moving. The two connected arms of the measuring tape manipulate or are manipulated by the test subject while changes in distance and tension are monitored. Some tape measure models are small handheld devices used for on-the-spot readings. Larger material testing tapes often measure both flex distances and flex duration to find the limits of what can be endured without damage or failure. Tape measures are commonly used to measure progress in physical rehabilitation and in the development of new product prototypes.
Tape measures measure flexibility along a central axis. The center point, or axis, of a flexed material is where the highest levels of stress are applied. A joint connecting two human bones is often the axis on which human flexibility is measured. An arc is created when movement is traced between the two flex ends. The arc range indicates to the tape measure user the degree of flexibility.
Tire companies commonly use a mechanical measuring tape to test new tire designs. Sections of the tire are flexed by measuring tapes to control test parameters and produce standardized results. Tape measures are often run until failure is caused by damage to the tire material. Flex tests are only a small part of the rigorous tests that new tire varieties go through before they hit the market. Information from tape measure is often taken into consideration when determining the expected road life of tire materials.
Physiotherapists, personal trainers, and coaches use a different tape measure tool to read the flexibility of their clients and team members. Increasing or regaining lost flexibility is often a goal of many exercise programs. Flexibility training success and failure are easy to assess with the simple handheld device. The two arms of the personal tape measure are extended and contracted to measure flexibility levels in various body positions. Adding readings to a whiteboard allows each person to graph the effects of their efforts to become more flexible.
The types, costs, and features of measuring tapes vary widely. Hand-held measuring tapes for personal use usually have analog dial readings. Industrial tape measures may have a digital display or the ability to interface with a computer directly through software. A digital tape measure is usually programmable for hours or days of non-stop material testing. Custom tape measures exist to meet the specifications of most flex testing applications.
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