Lesson 22: Introduction to Movement Assessment and Analysis

This course introduces terms and concepts related to movement assessment, movement analysis, motor control, movement impairment, and postural dysfunction. This course is a prerequisite for future courses discussing various assessments, corrective exercises, and manual therapy, including mobility techniques, activation techniques, integration, and neuromuscular re-education techniques. Special consideration is given to the Brookbush Institute’s preferred "top tier" movement assessment, the Overhead Squat Assessment (OHSA).

Examples include:

• Ideal Posture: Ideal arthro- and osteokinematic motion maintained by optimal myofascial activity and length, as a result of accurate sensation, integration, and activation of the nervous system, both statically and dynamically.
• Relative Flexibility: A hypothesis introduced by Shirley A. Sahrmann that “stiffness in one muscle group or joint will cause compensatory movement at adjoining joints that are controlled by muscles and soft tissues that exhibit less stiffness”. In essence, your body will follow the path of least resistance, and/or move around motion that results in pain.

Additional terms defined in this course include postural dysfunction, movement impairment, dysfunctional movement patterns, neuromuscular efficiency, length-tension relationships, reciprocal inhibition, synergistic dominance, joint dyskinesis, relative flexibility, compensation patterns, and optimal flexibility. A practical example is presented in this course, in which these terms are applied to the assessment and analysis of an anterior pelvic tilt. Further, this example is related to the potential decrease in strength or sports performance and increased risk of musculoskeletal injury.

Additionally, “rules” for the analysis of human movement are described to aid movement professionals in the assessment of movement quality. Examples include:

• Rule # 1: All systems (muscular, fascial, nervous, and skeletal) contribute to every motion.
• Rule #4: Every muscle produces an equal amount of force at both proximal and distal attachments.

Sports medicine professionals (personal trainers, fitness instructors, physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, etc.) must develop the ability to perform a movement assessment to develop optimal exercise programs and therapeutic (rehabilitation) interventions. Further, this course is essential knowledge for future courses discussing additional movement screens (e.g. Overhead Squat Assessment, Dynamic Postural Assessment, Functional Movement Screen, L.E.F.T. Test), altered motor function (e.g. motor control, dyskinesis, movement impairment syndromes), signs of dysfunction and the risk of injury (e.g. the effect of pain on normal movement, musculoskeletal injury and correlated signs - knee valgus and future ACL rupture) and sports performance (e.g. optimal motion, neuromuscular efficiency, strength, power, and agility).

Pre-approved Credits for:

• Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) Certification

Pre-approved for Continuing Education Credits for:

• Athletic Trainers
• Chiropractors
• Group Exercise Instructors
• Massage Therapists
• Occupational Therapists - Introductory
• Personal Trainers
• Physical Therapists
• Physical Therapy Assistants
• Yoga Instructors

This Course Includes:

• AI Tutor
• Video Lectures
• Study Guide
• Text of Material
• Learning Activities
• Practice Exam
• Pre-approved Final Exam

For more advanced courses on movement assessment check out:

• Overhead Squat Assessment: Signs of Dysfunction
• Overhead Squat Assessment: Sign Clusters and Compensation Patterns
• Goniometry: Upper Body
• Goniometry: Lower Body

Caption: Two different views of the skeletal system in an anatomical position

Bibliography

1. Donald A. Neumann, “Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations of Rehabilitation – 2nd Edition” © 2012 Mosby, Inc.
2. Tom Myers, Anatomy Trains: Second Edition. © Elsevier Limited 2009
3. David G. Simons, Janet Travell, Lois S. Simons, Travell & Simmons’ Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, The Trigger Point Manual, Volume 1. Upper Half of Body: Second Edition,© 1999 Williams and Wilkens
4. Cynthia C. Norkin, D. Joyce White, Measurement of Joint Motion: A Guide to Goniometry – Third Edition. © 2003 by F.A. Davis Company
5. Cynthia C. Norkin, Pamela K. Levangie, Joint Structure and Function: A Comprehensive Analysis: Fifth Edition © 2011 F.A. Davis Company
6. Carolyn Richardson, Paul Hodges, Julie Hides. Therapeutic Exercise for Lumbo Pelvic Stabilization – A Motor Control Approach for the Treatment and Prevention of Low Back Pain: 2nd Edition (c) Elsevier Limited, 2004
7. Andrew Biel, Trail Guide to the Human Body: 4th Edition, © 2010
8. David B. Jenkins, Hollinshead’s Functional Anatomy of the Limbs and Back: Eighth Edition © 2002 Saunders
9. John V. Basmajian, Carlo J. De Luca. Muscles Alive: Their Function Revealed by ElectroMyography. 1985