Chapter 12 - Posture, Movement, and Performance Assessments

What posture type is typically assessed in standing position? What are the three postural distortions and what are they characterized by?

Static posture

Pes planus distortion syndrome: flat fleet, knee valgus, and internally rotated and adducted hips

Lower crossed syndrome: anterior pelvic tilt and excessive lordosis of the lumbar spine

Upper crossed syndrome: forward head and protracted shoulders

What is the first movement assessment performed on clients and is the basis for all other movement assessments? What does it evaluate?

OHSA (Over Head Squat Assessment)

Evaluates dynamic posture, core stability, and neuromuscular control of whole body during squatting motion

What should you notate during the OHSA?

Movement impairments to identify potential muscle imbalances

Anterior view: feet turning out or knee cave

Lateral view: low back arching, excessive forward lean of torso, or arms falling forward

When should the single leg squat assessment be used? What is it a good test for?

On clients performed well in OHSA or if considering single leg exercises in program

Good for balance (important for daily activities and exercise programming)

What do pushing and pulling assessments evaluate? What should they be used for?

Function of upper extremities and concurrent core stability

Used as intake assessment or as integrated part of actual program

What should you look for when performing a pushing and pulling assessment?

Low back arching, shoulders elevating, or head jutting forward

What are performance assessments for? What do they measure?

Used for clients looking to improve athletic performance

Measure max strength, power, muscular endurance, and speed and agility

What does the push up test measure?

Measures muscular endurance of upper extremities during a push up movement

What is the purpose of the squat and bench press strength assessments? Why should you be wary about using them?

Measure max strength capabilities

Wary because advanced assessments for strength specific goals - may not be suitable for all clients, especially with limited experience

What is the purpose of the vertical jump and long jump assessments?

Measure lower body power

What is the LEFT test? What is its difficulty and for what purpose?

Designed to test lateral speed and agility

Advanced assessment for speed and performance specific goals

What does the 40 yard dash assessment evaluate?

Reaction capabilities, acceleration, and max sprint speed

What does the pro shuttle (5-10-5) test assess? What is it most appropriate for?

Acceleration, deceleration, agility, and control

Clients with athletic goals seeking to assess agility and sprinting speed

How should assessments be sequenced?

In specific order to help guarantee accurate results - nonfatiguing assessments first (like preparticipation health screening, physiological and body comp screenings), then posture, movement, cardio and performance assessments

Why should you always use caution when implementing movement and performance assessments with clients? Why are some assessments not applicable?

Certain populations (overweight or obese, youth, older adults, prenatal, etc.) may need to modify or avoid certain movements or assessments

Do not relate to client’s goals or cause safety concern

What are the characteristic static joint positions of Pes Planus Distortion Syndrome?

Ankle: collapsed arch (pronation)

Knee: valgus (internally rotated)

Hip: adducted and internally rotated

Which muscles are typically overactive (tight) in Pes Planus Distortion Syndrome?

Gastrocnemius and soleus (calves), adductor complex (inner thighs), and hip flexors (front of hip)

Which muscles are typically underactive (weak) in Pes Planus Distortion Syndrome?

Tibialis anterior, tibialis posterior, glute max, glute medius

If client exhibits knee valgus during as assessment, which underactive muscles are failing to stabilize the joint?

Glute max and medius

What are the characteristic static joint alignments of Lower Crossed Syndrome?

Hip: flexed

Pelvis: anterior pelvic tilt

Lumbar spine: excessive lordosis (extension)

Which muscle groups, when overactive, pull the pelvis into anterior pelvic tilt?

Hip flexors (iliopsoas, rectus femoris) and lumbar extensors (low back muscles)

Which muscle groups, when weak, fail to counteract anterior pelvic tilt?

Glute max, glute medius, hamstrings, abdominals

Why do glutes become underactive when a client has overactive hip flexors?

Altered reciprocal inhibition (overactive muscles turn off opposing muscles)

What structural deviations characterize the static posture of Upper Cross Syndrome?

Thoracic spine: excessive kyphosis (hunchback, flexed posture)

Shoulders: protracted (rounded forward) or internally rotated

Head and neck: jutted forward

Which muscles are typically overactive in Upper Cross Syndrome?

Pectoralis major and minor, levator scapulae and sternocleidomastoid, and upper trapezius

Which muscles are typically underactive in Upper Cross Syndrome?

Middle and lower trapezius, rhomboids, and deep cervical flexors

In the OHSA, what muscles are typically overactive if the client’s feet turn out? underactive?

Gastrocnemius, soleus, and hamstrings

Tibialis anterior and posterior, glute max and medius

In the OHSA, what muscles are typically overactive if the client displays knee valgus? underactive?

Tensor facia latae (TFL), adductor complex

Tibialis anterior and posterior, glute max and medius

In the OHSA, what muscles are typically overactive if the client displays lumbar hyperlordosis? underactive?

Hip flexors (psoas, rectus femoris, TFL), lumbar extensors (low back muscles), latissimus dorsi

Glute max, hamstrings, abdominals

In the OHSA, what muscles are typically overactive if the client displays excessive forward trunk lean? underactive?

Hip flexors, gastrocnemius, soleus, rectus abdominus, and external obliques

Glute max, hamstrings, lumbar extensors

In the OHSA, what muscles are typically overactive if the client’s arms fall forward? underactive?

Latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major and minor, and teres major

Mid and lower trapezius, rhomboids, posterior deltoids, portions of rotator cuff

In the single leg squat assessment (SLS), what muscles are typically overactive if the client displays knee valgus? underactive?

Tensor fascia latae (TFL) and adductor complex

Glute max and medius, and tibialis anterior and posterior

In the pushing assessment, what muscles are typically overactive if the client’s lower back arches? underactive?

Hip flexors (rectus femoris, psoas, TFL) and lumbar extensors

Glute max, hamstrings, and abdominals

In the pushing assessment, what muscles are typically overactive if the client displays scapular elevation? underactive?

Levator scapulae (posterior neck muscles) and upper trapezius

Lower trapezius

In the pushing assessment, what muscles are typically overactive if the client’s head juts forward? underactive?

Levator scapulae, sternocleidomastoid

Deep cervical flexors (deep neck stabilizers)

In the pulling assessment, what muscles are typically overactive if the client’s lower back arches? underactive?

Hip flexors (rectus femoris, psoas, TFL) and lumbar extensors

Glute max, hamstrings, abdominals

In the pulling assessment, what muscles are typically overactive if the client displays scapular elevation? underactive?

Levator scapulae and upper trapezius

Lower trapezius

In the pulling assessment, what muscles are typically overactive if the client’s head juts forward? underactive?

Levator scapulae and sternocleidomastoid

Deep cervical flexors