By Chris Gellert, PT, MMusc & Sportsphysio, MPT, CSCS, C-IASTM

There are a multitude of assessments at the fingertips of a fitness professional. Choosing the most accurate and objective assessments should be the cornerstone of any fitness assessment. 3 that we recommend starting with are, the plank, the side plank and the Multifidus Test. These 3 tests are MUST HAVES in your fitness arsenal.

Planking

The plank is an isometric core strength exercise that involves maintaining a position similar to a push-up for the maximum possible time.  

Figure 1

Figure 2

The four-point plank test (Fig. 1) challenges the erector spinae and paraspinal muscles

While the side plank test (Fig 2) challenges the obliques and

quadratus lumborum muscles.

Grading for both tests is as follows:

Normal: Able to lift pelvis off and hold straight 15-20 second count.

Good: Able to lift pelvis off but has difficulty holding spine straight for 15-20 seconds.

Fair: Able to lift pelvis off but has difficulty holding spine straight for 10-15 seconds.

Poor: Able to lift pelvis off but cannot hold for 1-10 seconds.

Trace: Unable to lift pelvis

Multifidus Test

This test assesses the client’s ability or inability to properly contract the multifidi. Have the client lie prone, then palpate multifidi muscle which is ~1” above ilium. Provide instructions asking the client to extend their hip 1-2” off the table and observe what muscles the client elicits. 

Normal Movement (Figure 3):

To teach the client to contract the multifidi first, palpate the muscle (figure 1) (instruct the client to perform an anterior pelvic tilt (which shortens and contracts the multifidi), and then have them lift one leg straight up into the air.

Figure 3

Abnormal Movement (Figure 4):

Common compensatory movement is to activate the glutes or hamstrings first, then contract the lower back (this is dysfunctional) as seen in figure 4. 

As we stated above these are 3 techniques that we strongly recommend but there is a multitude of core assessment tests to choose from. Choose those that are client-specific, safe as well as personalized to the client. In the next article, we will talk about common lumbar conditions..