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)

Broad Movement Assessment

Learn how to analyse the baseline patterns and positions that exist in all movements and it will be revealed how a body’s fascia, soft tissue, joints, and bones are organised in a dynamic inter-relationship of tensegrity.

The downward force of gravity and our general anatomy is mostly consistent, which means that the basic rules that govern our body’s movements are consistent as well. The common principles that they will display across all movements are expressed in the positioning of their joints against gravity, other external forces, and how efficiently they can transition from one position to another dynamically in real time.

ONI-X uses a set of 7 patterns that serve as a broad foundation for all movements. These are seen in our childhood developmental sequences, daily living, as well as sporting situations and so they carry a generally high amount of functional (purposeful) relevance.

 
 
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  • Rolling - foundations of core movement and stability

  • Crawling - overall trunk stability and rotary stability

  • Lunging - expression of bipedal function, greater stability demand, and end range mobility

  • Squatting - overall body control and end range mobility

  • Hinging - overall body control and posterior core and chain stability

  • Single Leg Hinge, Raise, and Step Up - greater stability demand and reveals asymmetries

  • Overhead Reach - thoraco-scapula control and end range mobility

ONI-X uses baseline patterns like the ones above to gauge where someone is at with their overall movement. This broad view is a good first step to approaching assessment because the body is so intricate that it is often too complex to be able to be dissected into isolated parts in an initial test. This broad view also serves as a more simple way to approach client communication and education compared with the detailed anatomical jargon and complexity.

A broad overview allows you to see what is happening on a global level to then prioritise which areas need more attention than others. This gives you an efficient and triaged roadmap to success. It is very easy to pull out the magnifying glass too early and end up chasing your tail in the finely detailed world of anatomy. 

Note: While these 7 serve as a good set of baseline tests, a well rounded and experienced coach will eventually be able to use any compound movement as an assessment tool. In many cases that is desirable as it has the most functional relevance to the client.

BROAD MOVEMENT ASSESSMENT TIPS:

Your positioning: 

Step back from the client to create enough distance so that you can see the whole body and movement at once. This global view will help you see which areas of the body are most unbalanced. 

In some movements, a side view may provide the best view and in others, a front view may. Don’t be afraid to move around during the clients test.

Client movement patterns and body positioning:

When assessing clients through these foundational movement tests, ask the client to perform these movements with minimal cueing first to get a picture of how they naturally move. If there are deviations from a balanced or ‘neutral’ position during these patterns then you may use a combination of verbal, touch, mirroring, and environmental cues to see what levels of proprioception they have (ie do they have enough body awareness and control to apply your cues).

If the client is able to adjust to a balanced and neutral position from your cues then you know that they are able to consciously perform the movement and so you would regress and progress them appropriately in their exercise plan. 

If the client is not able to adjust to your cues, then that is an indication that either there are flexibility limitations or their levels of proprioception are not high enough so you will need to break down the movements into its components (narrow tests) in order to find out what the limitations are - flexibility or motor control.

Footwear:

We recommend that the client is barefoot so that you can see where their movement and balance is more clearly (there may be a lot of unnoticed foot, ankle, or toe movement if it is concealed in a show).

Warm up:

These broad tests are performed with no warm up in general. It is important to see what your clients natural state of movement is without warming up or preparation to get the best indication of their movement competency, quality, and level.