Testing Postural Alignment - Overhead Squat Assessment
Purpose:
- This assessment is designed to measure dynamic flexibility, core strength, balance, and overall neuromuscular control. There is evidence to support the use of transitional movement assessments, such as the overhead squat test and single-leg squat test.39 These assessments appear to be reliable and valid measures of lower extremity movement patterns when standard protocols are applied. The overhead squat test has been shown to reflect lower extremity movement patterns during jump landing tasks.40 Knee valgus during the overhead squat test is influenced by decreased hip abductor and hip external rotation strength,9 increased hip adductor activity,41 and restricted ankle dorsiflexion.41,42 These results suggest the movement impairments observed during this transitional movement assessment may be the result of alterations in available joint motion, muscle activation, and overall neuromuscular control that may point toward an elevated injury risk.
Procedure and Position:
- Athlete is directed to stand with the feet shoulder-width apart and pointed straight ahead. The foot and ankle complex should be in a neutral position. The assessment is best performed with the shoes off to better view the foot and ankle complex.
- Athlete is directed to raise the arms overhead, with elbow fully extended. The upper arm should bisect the torso.
Movement:
- The athlete is directed to squat to roughly the height of a chair seat and return to the starting position.
- The movement is repeated five times, observing from each position (anterior, lateral, and posterior.
Views:
- Feet, ankles, and knees are viewed from the front (Figure 3.23). The feet should remain straight with the knees tracking in line with the foot (second and third toe).
- The LPHC, shoulder, and cervical complex are viewed from the side (Figure 3.24). The tibia should remain in-line with the torso while the arms also stay in-line with the torso.
- The foot and ankle complex and the LPHC are viewed from behind. The foot/ankle complex will demonstrate slight pronation, but the arch of the foot will remain visible. The feet should also remain straight while the heels stay in contact with the ground. The LPHC should not shift from side to side (Figure 3.25).
Compensations: Anterior View
The following questions should be considered during this view of the assessment:
- Feet: Do the feet flatten and/or turn out? (Figures 3.26 and 3.27)
- Knees:
- Do the knees move inward (adduct and internally rotate)? (Figure 3.28)
- Do the knees move outward (abduct and externally rotate)? (Figure 3.29)
Compensations: Lateral View
The following questions should be considered during this view of the assessment:
- LPHC:
- Does the low back arch? (Figure 3.30)
- Does the low back round (excessive spinal flexion)? (Figure 3.31)
- Does the torso lean forward excessively? (Figure 3.32)
- Shoulder: Do the arms fall forward? (Figure 3.33)
Compensations: Posterior View
The following questions should be considered during this view of the assessment:
- Feet:
- Do the feet flatten (excessive pronation)? (Figure 3.34)
- Do the heels rise off the floor? (Figure 3.35)
- LPHC:
- Is there an asymmetrical weight shift? (Figure 3.36)
When performing the assessment, all findings should be recorded (Figure 3.37). Then, Table 3.5 can be used as a reference to determine potential overactive and underactive muscles that will need to be addressed through corrective flexibility and strengthening techniques to improve the athlete’s quality of movement, decreasing the risk for injury and improving performance.