Question | Answer |
What is a Squat assessments do? | – Observe movement compensations – Develop result-focused intervention strategies to improve compensations – Learn how assessments can increase value, revenue, and client base |
What is a Fitness Assessment? | – Systematic problem-solving method – Provides basis for why you design client programs |
Purpose of Fitness Assessment | – Gather information and get to know your client – To help determine starting point for client programs |
Not a purpose of Fitness Assessment | – It is not designed to diagnose any condition – It is designed to observe the client’s functional status |
Subjective information | Information provided by the client • Fitness Goals, Occupation, Lifestyle, Medical history, Personal information – Can be gathered with questionnaires- e.g. PAR-Q; |
What is the purpose of a fitness assesssment? | – Provides opportunity to get to know your client – Builds rapport |
Objective Information | – Measurable information gathered by the health and fitness professional • Body-composition assessments (BF%, circumference) • Physiological assessments • Cardiorespiratory assessments • Performance assessments • Posture/Movement Assessments |
Why focus on posture? | proper length tension relationships, Optimum Neuromuscular Efficiency, places the joints in ideal alignment to accept forces, Neuromuscular Efficiency,nervous system to properly recruit all muscles in all planes of motion |
What are the five kinetic check points? | Feet, Knees, Hips. Shoulders, Head |
Poor Posture signs? | Feet externally rotated Knees Adducted LPHC excessive anterior or posterior pelvic tilt Shoulders rounded or elvated Cervical spine - forward or extended |
Altered Reciprocal Inhibition | Process whereby tight muscle(s) cause decrease muscle activity to opposing muscle groups |
Synergistic Dominance | Process whereby muscles become overactive to maintain force production Result of ‘altered reciprocal inhibition’ |
Effects on Muscle Imbalances | AlteredReciprocalInhibition - Altered JointMotion - Synergistic Dominance Decreased Ability to Maintain Ideal Posture During Movement |
How do we assess ability to maintain ideal posture during movement? | Movement Assessments |
What causes compensation during movements? | Client does not understand how to do the movement we are asking them to perform – Possible muscle imbalances – Combination of both of the above |
Why is it important to identify compensations? | Compensations can lead to injury such as knee pain, low back pain, shoulder pain, etc. – Can decrease client’s ability to reach fitness goals! |
Types of Movement Assessments | – Overhead Squat Test – Single-leg Squat Test • Any movement or exercise can be used • Evidence-based |
Why overhead and Single Leg? | • Based on clinical & scientific evidence • Incorporates all of the major joints in the body |
What does the overhead and single leg evaluate? | • Evaluates: – Total body strength – Flexibility – Neuromuscular control |
Proper Squat Mechanics • Front View | Feet pointed straight ahead, placed hip to shoulder-width apart – Knees lined up with second and third toe (tip of shoe) |
Proper Squat Mechanics • Side View | – Torso and lower leg should form parallel lines during descent – Low back and neck should remain neutral – Weight should be distributed through entire foot (not just the toes and not just the heel) |
Why squat like a kid? | This position ensures optimal load distribution between hips, knees, and ankles |
How do you perform Overhead squat Assessment?? | • 3 Steps: – Set-up(Position) – Procedure (Movement) – Observation/Identify (Front/SideView) |
SET UP | • Position client with feet shoulder-width apart and pointed straight ahead. – Foot and ankle complex should be in a neutral position. • Have client raise his/her arms overhead – Elbow should be fully extended. – Upper arm should bisect the torso. |
PROCEDURE | • Instruct client to squat to the level of a typical chair height and return to the start position. • Have client repeat movement at least 5 times from each view – Front (Anterior) – Side (Lateral) |
OBSERVATION | • Use Five Kinetic Chain Checkpoints – Head & Neck – Shoulders & Arms – Hips & Low Back – Knees – Feet & Ankles |
OHS OBSERVATION – FRONT VIEW | • Focus on 2 Checkpoints – Feet/Ankles • Do they turn out? – Knees • Do they move in? |
OHS OBSERVATION – SIDE VIEW | • Focus on 2 Checkpoints – Hips and Low Back(LPHC) • Is there an excessive forward lean? • Is there an excessive arch? – Shoulder Complex • Do the arms fall forward? |
Arms Fall Forward | Latissimus dorsi, pectoral complex, teres major |
Arms Fall Forward - Strength exercises | Squat-to-Row, Ball Cobra, Ball Combo 1 |
Low Back Arches | Hip flexor complex, erector spinae, latissimus dorsi |
Low Back Arches - Strength exercises | Prone Iso Abs, Quadruped Arm/Leg Raise, Bridges |
Forward Lean | Calf complex, hip flexor complex, ab complex |
Forward Lean - Strength exercises | Ball Cobra, Bridges, Ball Wall Squat |
Feet Turn Out | Lateral calf complex; biceps femoris |
Feet Turn Out - strength exercises | Single Leg Balance |
Knee Move In | Adductor complex, biceps femoris(short head); TFL/IT Band |
Knees Move in - strength exercises | Tube Walking ,Bridging, SL Balance |