The Low Back Live Assessment contains a series of tests designed to provide an objective measure of Range of Motion (ROM) and muscle activity for the lumbar spine.

Test Protocol

NOTE: Each repetition is collected in a separate window

Flexion
1. Ask the subject to stand upright and flex forward as far as comfortable without bending the knees, hold for 2 seconds and then return to standing position.
2. Once the subject has returned to standing position, ask the subject to repeat the movement until 3 repetitions are complete.
3. Note: the flexion movement usually takes 3-4 seconds to perform.

Extension
1. Ask the subject to fold the arms across the chest and stand upright.
2. Ask the subject to bend back (extension) as far as comfortable, and then return to standing position.
3. Ask the subject to repeat the movement until 3 repetitions are complete.
4. Note: the extension movement usually takes 3-4 seconds to perform.

Lateral Flexion (Left and Right)
1. Ask the subject to stand upright with arms along the sides of their body.
2. Ask the subject to bend sideways (flex laterally) and slide their arm along the leg as far as comfortable while avoiding any flexion/extension, hold for 2 seconds and then return to standing position.
3. Ask the subject to repeat the movement until 3 repetitions are complete.
4. Note: the lateral flexion movement usually takes 3-4 seconds to perform.

Anterior Posterior Tilt while Standing
1. Ask the subject to stand upright.
2. Ask them to tilt their pelvis forward (anteriorly) and then backward (posteriorly) in a controlled manner. 
3. Ensure the subject does not move their trunk.
4. Allow a few practice tilts in both directions prior to testing.
5. During testing ensure 3 repetitions are performed in the same test window.

Usual Sitting Position
1. Ask the subject to sit in a chair (ideally a desk chair) in their usual sitting posture.
2. Once the subject is seated, ask them to hold the position and begin the test.

Slouched Sitting Position
1. Ask the subject to sit in a chair and slouch as they usually would.
2. Once the subject is sitting in a slouched posture, begin the test.

Upright Sitting Posture
1. Ask the subject to sit in a chair in an upright posture.
2. When the subject appears to be sitting in an upright posture, begin the test.

Anterior Posterior Tilt while Sitting
1. Ask the subject to sit in a chair with back unsupported and in an upright posture.
2. Ask the subject to tilt forward (anterior) and back (posterior). The subject must attempt to initiate and control the movement from their pelvis while avoiding any trunk movement.
3. During testing ensure 3 repetitions are performed in the same test window.

Rotation while Sitting (Left and Right)
1. Ask the subject to sit in a comfortable position with arms crossed over chest.
2. Once ready, open a test window by pressing the “Play” button.
3. Ask the subject to rotate their trunk to the left/right as far as possible while keeping pelvis steady.
4. Hold position for 2 seconds and then return to start position.
5. Once back to start position, close the test window and open a new test window by pressing the “Next” arrow.
6. Repeat this test 3 times.

Once you’ve completed the assessment, click the report icon to generate a report.