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Dr. Brent Brookbush performing ankle dorsiflextion goniometric assessment with a client.

Lower Body Goniometric Assessment: Technique and potential restricting structures

Goniometry of the lower body, including ankle dorsiflexion, knee extension, knee flexion, hip internal rotation, hip external rotation, hip abduction, hip flexion and hip extension goniometric assessments. A list of potential muscles, fascia, and neural structures that may restrict motion at the hip, knee, and ankle joints.

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Course Description: Goniometry: Lower Body

Why Assessment? All fitness, performance, and rehabilitation programs should start with an assessment. The goal of assessment is to refine technique selection, with the intent of improving client and patient outcomes. This course describes the reliable goniometric assessments used to assess range of motion (ROM) of the lower extremity (Note, reliable = ankle dorsiflexion goniometry is included, and ankle inversion goniometry is not).

  • Goniometry - "refers to the measurement of angles, in particular, the measurement of angles created at human joints by the bones of the body (1)"

Why Goniometry? Most often, goniometric assessments highlight osteokinematic hypomobility (loss of joint ROM), aiding in the selection of release, mobilization, and stretching techniques. Less often, goniometry will highlight hypermobility (excessive joint ROM) and imply a need for activation, stabilization, and conditioning techniques. For an introduction to specific terminology, defining "good assessments," defining what goniometry measures, and best use, please check out:

Why Add Goniometry to Movement Assessment? Goniometry adds an assessment with continuous interval measures to movement assessments that only provide binary or discrete values. Assessments that only provide binary values include the Overhead Squat Assessment (OHSA) , the gastroc/soleus length test , the Functional Movement Screen, static postural assessments, the L.E.F.T. Test, and mobility-dependent special tests such as the FABER (Patrick's) Test  and FADDIR Test .

The Brookbush Institute recommends that these assessments are added to the repertoire of all sports medicine professionals (personal trainers, fitness instructors, physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, etc.).

Goniometric Assessments Covered in this Course

Each goniometric assessment in this course includes a list of potentially affected structures, and those structures are hyperlinked to courses that cover specific interventions for those structures. Predictive Models of Postural Dysfunction were used to aid in considering all muscular, articular, fascial, and neural structures that may restrict each motion.

Printable PDF of the Movement Assessment Template:

Course Study Guide: Lower Body Goniometric Assessment

Introduction

Hip Internal Rotation at 90 degrees of Flexion (90/90 Hip IR)

Hip External Rotation at 90 degrees of Flexion (90/90 Hip ER)

Hip Internal Rotation in Prone

Hip External Rotation in Prone

Hip Extension (Thomas Test Position)

Hip Flexion Goniometry

Hip Abduction Goniometry

Knee Flexion Goniometry

Knee Extension with Hip Flexion Goniometry (Hamstring Length Test)

Knee Extension Goniometry

Dorsiflexion Goniometry

Bibliography

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