lab 7: balance and flexibility

Question 1

flexibility

Answer 1

range of motion in a joint or related series of joints or the ability to move a muscle or group of muscles through a ROM

Question 2

balance

Answer 2

ability to control the centre of mass in relationship to the base of support

Question 3

one leg stance test procedure

Answer 3

1. explain + consent
2. demo proper technique
3. ask client to stand closer to a wall on flat surface with their hands crossed on opposite shoulders in front of their chest
4. have client stand on leg of choice lifting the together foot so that it is near but not touching the ankle of the standing leg
5. client focuses on spot on wall at eye level in front of them for duration of eyes open test
6. begin time as soon as foot is off the floor - stop at 45 second or when one of termination criteria has occurred
7. record time
8. repeat w/ eyes open on other leg
9. repeat both with eyes closed

Question 4

one leg stance test termination criteria

Answer 4

• arms are moved
• raised foot is moved towards or away from the standing limb or touches the floor
• weight-bearing foot is moved to maintain balance
• eyes open during eyes closed test
• max 45 seconds has elapsed

Question 5

berg balance scale (BBS)

Answer 5

developed in Canada by Berg et al., 1989 to monitor functional balance over tine and to evaluate clients response to treatment. scale has also been used for screening for functional independence

Question 6

BBS scoring

Answer 6

each item is scored on a 5 pt ordinal scale ranging from 0-4 with 0 indicating the inability to do the task and 4 as the completion of task criterion

Question 7

interpretation of BBS results

Answer 7

scores will vary by age and with levels of disability due to a variety of conditions.

Question 8

BBS fall risk

Answer 8

cut-off scores may be used in conjunction with a complete clinical evaluation to interpret meaning of a clients score on the BBS
- <40 associated with ~100% risk of falling
- <45 individual may be at increased risk of falls and may benefit from walking aid
- <50 is more likely to fall and should be assessed further from fall risk

Question 9

Y-balance test

Answer 9

assesses dynamic balance (ability to maintain an upright position while th centre of gravity is moving outside the base of support)

Question 10

y-balance test procedure

Answer 10

1. 5-10 min warm up
2. client gets 4 practice trials on each foot in each direction
3. order: right anterior, left anterior, right posteromedial, left posteromedial, right posterolateral, left posterolateral
4. reach distances are recorded
5. best of 3 trials

Question 11

sit and reach test

Answer 11

assesses hamstring and lower back flexibility

Question 12

sit and reach test procedure

Answer 12

1. 5-10 min warm up
2. client sits w/o shoes with legs extended
3. arms evenly stretch with palms down and hands together (stacked on top of each other) and reach forward to push sliding marker and hold for 2 seconds
   - if knees bend, the trial is not counted
   - client attempts test twice