MSK + Skin folds

forearm plank

• what does it measure

  • abdominal muscular endurance

• how is it scored

  • max time

• contraindications

  • osteoporosis

• instructions:

  • lie prone, upper arms held directly underneath shoulders with forearms in neutral position

  • narrow feet but not touching

  • time starts when pelvis rises from floor

grip strength

• what does it measure

  • isometric strength

  • indicator of total body strength

• how its scored

  • combine maximum scores from right & left hands

  • record to nearest 1kg

• instructions

  • adjust dynamometer, 2nd joint of fingers under handle

  • hold with forearm away at thigh level

  • exhale & maximally squeeze

  • perform 2 trials with each hand, alternate hands

push up

• what does it measure

  • chest, shoulders & arms muscular endurance

• how its scored

  • total 3 of push ups completed with correct form

• contraindications

  • osteoporosis, lower back pain, shoulder problems

sit and reach

• what does it measure

  • hamstring & lower back flexibility

• how its scored

  • highest score from 2 trials

  • measure to 0.5cm

• contraindications

  • osteoporosis, lower back pain

• instructions

  • before test have subject perform hurdler stretch

  • seated on ground, shoes off, legs fully extended with feet placed flat against flexometer

  • one hand over the other extend arms & reach forwards to push sliding marker forwards as possible

  • lower head & exhale to maximize reach

  • hold position for 2 seconds

  • if knees bend or bouncing/jerking movements = trial doesn’t count

Vertical jump

• what does it measure

  • peak leg power

• how its scored

  • measured in watts

  • subtract stand & reach from the best of 3 jump heights

  • record nearest 0.5 cm

• Contraindications

  • osteoporosis, lower back pain, knee problems

• instructions

  • stand tall, reach as high as possible and mark the spot

  • bring arms down and back, bend the knees into semi-squat position

  • pause 1-2 secs in semi squat the jump as high as possible arms moving forwards and mark highest point reached

  • 3 trials, 10-15 sec rest

Back extension

• what does it measure

  • trunk extensor muscles isometric endurance

• how it’s scored

  • record # of seconds position is maintained (up to 180s)

• contraindications: pre-screening

  • current lower back pain/discomfort

  • bone or joint problems affecting back

  • lie face down, perform single straight leg extension with each leg, then repeat raising & extending the opposite arm

    • if any pain test shouldn’t be completed

• Instructions

  • lie face down on mat with iliac crest at the edge of platform; hips, shoulders & head aligned

  • secure subject’s lower torso: one strap at gluteal crest & other below the knees

  • subject place hands on the ground before starting

  • cross arms over chest & maintain position 

  • 1 warning of torso drops

  • terminate if subject feels pain

one leg stance

• what does it measure

  • balance

  • static balance, leg strength & integration of visual & inner ear signals & receptors in muscles + joints

• how its scored

  • best time of eyes open & eyes closed tests

• instructions

  • begin barefoot with hands on opposite shoulders crossed in front of chest

  • position chair nearby

  • subject stands on leg of choice, lifting other foot is near but not touching the ankle of standing leg

  • max: 45s

  • repeats with opposite leg

  • time ends if:

    • arms moved, foot moved towards or away standing limb, foot touches floor, weight bearing foot moves to maintain balance

    • eyes closed test: if loses balance within first 3 secs trial is completed

Chest Skin fold

shoulder to opposite hip over the lateral border of pectoralis major, half between the horizontal nipple line & anterior axilla border (armpit)

Abdomen Skinfold

• vertical skinfold

• 2 cm lateral of belly button

Front thigh Skinfold

• vertical skinfold

• anterior aspect of the thigh midway between hip to top of patella bone

waist circumference

• measured at the level of the uppermost lateral border of iliac crest

• mark both sides

• measure from right side

• measure to nearest 0.5cm