Postural Assessments

Question 1

Posterior View of Kinetic Chain

Answer 1

Foot/ankle: Heels are straight and parallel, not overly pronated
Knees: neutral position, not adducted or abducted
LPHC: Pelvis is level with both posterior superior iliac spines in same transverse plane
Shoulders/scapulae: level, not elevated or protracted (medial borders essentially parallel and approximately 3 to 4 inches apart)
Head: neutral position, neither tilted nor rotated

Question 2

Lateral view of kinetic chain

Answer 2

Foot/ankles: Neutral position, leg vertical at right angle to sole of foot
Knees: Neutral position, not flexed nor hyperextended
LPHC: Pelvis neutral position, not anteriorly (lumbar extension) or posteriorly (lumbar flexion) rotated
Shoulder: normal kyphotic curve, not excessively rounded
Head: Neutral position, not in excessive extension(“jutting” forward)

Question 3

Anterior View of Kinetic chain

Answer 3

foot/ankles: Straight and parallel, not flattened or externally rotated
Knees: In line with toes, not adducted or abducted
LPHC: Pelvis level with both anterior superior iliac spines in same transverse plane
Shoulders: Level, not elevated or rounded
Head: Neutral position, not tilted nor rotated

Question 4

Kinetic Chain Checkpoints

Answer 4

Foot and ankle
knee
lumbo-pelvic-hip complex
shoulders
head and cervical spine

Question 5

Overhead squat assessments

Answer 5

Procedure/ position
client stand with the feet shoulders-width apart and pointed straight ahead. foot and ankle complex should be in a neutral position. shoes off for better view if you can.
client raises arms overhead, with elbows fully extended. Arm should bisect the torso.
Movement:
squat roughly the height of a chair seat and return to starting position. repeat the movement for 5 reps, observing from each position (anterior and lateral)
Views: from the front do the feet, ankles, and knees should remain straight - knees tracking in line with foot.
From the side the LPHC, shoulder, and cervical complex should be parallel with the tibia - arms also stay in line with torso
Compensations anterior view: Do the feet flatten and/or turn out
do the knees move inward (adduct and internally rotate)
Compensations Lateral View: does the lower back arch, does the torso lean forward excessively

Question 6

Purpose of overhead squat assessment

Answer 6

assess dynamic flexibility, core strength, balance, and overall neuromuscular control

Question 7

Purpose of single leg squat assessment

Answer 7

assess dynamic flexibility, core strength, balance, and overall neuromuscular control

Question 8

Knee valgus (knock-knees) during overhead squat test is influenced by:

Answer 8

decreased hip abductor and hip external rotation strength, increased hip adductor activity, and restricted ankle dorsiflexion - alterations in joint motion, muscle activation, and overall neuromuscular control

Question 9

Knee valgus during single leg squat test is influenced by:

Answer 9

decreased hip abductor and hip external rotation strength, increased hip adductor activity, and restricted ankle dorsiflexion - alterations in joint motion, muscle activation, and overall neuromuscular control

Question 10

Single Leg Squat Assessment

Answer 10

Procedure:
Position - stand with hands on hips and eyes focused on an object straight ahead; foot should be pointed straight ahead, the foot, ankle, and knee and lphc should be in a neutral position.
Movement - client squat to a comfortable level and return to starting position; perform 5 reps
Views: from the front the knee should track in line with the foot 2nd and 3rd toes
Compensation - does the knee move inward (adduct and internally rotate)

Question 11

Pushing assessment

Answer 11

Procedure:
Position - stand with abdomen drawn inward, feet in a split stance and toes pointing forward.
Movement - viewing from the side, instruct client to press handles forward and return to starting position; perform up to 20 repetitions in a controlled fashion 2/0/2 (two out, no hold, two in) the lumbar and cervical spines should remain neutral while the shoulders stay level.
Compensations - low back: does it arch
shoulders - do they elevate
head - does it migrate forward

Question 12

Pulling assessment

Answer 12

Procedure:
Position - stand with abdomen drawn inward, feet in a split stance and toes pointing forward.
Movement - viewing from the side, instruct client to pull handles toward the body and return to starting position; perform up to 20 repetitions in a controlled fashion 2/0/2 (two out, no hold, two in) the lumbar and cervical spines should remain neutral while the shoulders stay level.
Compensations - low back: does it arch
shoulders - do they elevate
head - does it migrate forward