Step 1: Identify the limiting movement pattern (broad movement assessment)
Step 2: Break down the limiting movement into its components (narrow movement assessment)
Step 3: Create a new movement pattern addressing both independent joint function and integrated synergistic function (integrated plan)
Step 4: Progress this new movement pattern through a variety of periodised training stimuli (ONI Movement Training Model)

Narrow Assessment

Once an initial broad assessment has been conducted, you can look at the components of that broader movement and use a series of narrower tests to determine whether the limitation is a flexibility issue or a motor control issue. This is done by assessing singular joint range of motion - both passively and actively.

 
 
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  • If there is insufficient passive range of motion then it is a flexibility issue.

  • If there is sufficient passive range of motion, but it is not actively controlled then it is a motor control issue.

A compound movement is made up with many parts that all work together, so a limitation in one part of the chain and cause issues or inefficiencies on either side of that kinetic chain (upstream and downstream).

WHICH JOINTS OR MUSCLES TO TEST FIRST:

A compound movement pattern involves multiple joints moving at the same time, usually with the core and spine at the centre of each movement. Choose the joints or areas of the body that have the most deviations from neutral positioning in a broad movement test and closest to the spine to prioritise assessing narrowly first as these areas tend to have more impact on the rest of the body.

PASSIVE RANGE OF MOTION TESTING:

  • “Stretching” or “pulling” sensations indicate a soft tissue length limitation (open angle limitation)

  • “Pinching”, “tight”, or “running into a wall or block” sensations indicate a joint impingement (closed angle limitation)

ACTIVE RANGE OF MOTION TESTING AND MUSCLE ACTIVATION:

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  • Level 0: Cannot feel activation of targeted muscle

  • Level 1: Can feel activation of targeted muscle, but cannot hold end range

  • Level 2: Can feel activation of targeted muscle and hold end range

  • Level 3: Can feel activation of targeted muscle and hold end range with resistance

  • Level 4: Can move through entire available range of motion with resistance

If an active range of motion is level 0, more proprioception will have to be gained before you can target that muscle for training. To help the client gain more proprioception of this area, a combination of manual therapy and activation exercise may be used.