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Active protection of the lumbar spine is important in prevention of back strain during exercise. This EMG study investigated three common techniques used for lumbar stabilisation : posterior pelvic tilt, lower abdominal hollowing with lumbar spine flattening and abdominal bracing. The aim was to determine which method encouraged the best stability pattern. Muscle activity was measured in obliquus abdominis, upper and lower rectus abdominis and the lumbar erector spinae. Standardisation of muscle activity against that during maximally resisted trunk rotation (already shown to illustrate an appropriate stability pattern) allowed comparisons between exercise techniques in relation to their stabilisation pattern. Results indicated that posterior pelvic tilt demonstrated the least desirable stability pattern. Both abdominal hollowing and bracing provided a more suitable pattern.

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This masterclass takes a multidimensional approach to movement assessment in clinical practice. It seeks to provide innovative views on both emerging and more established methods of assessing movement within the world of movement health, injury prevention and rehabilitation. A historical perspective of the value and complexity of human movement, the role of a physical therapist in function of movement health evaluation across the entire lifespan and a critical appraisal of the current evidence-based approach to identify individual relevant movement patterns is presented. To assist a physical therapist in their role as a movement system specialist, a clinical-oriented overview of current movement-based approaches is proposed within this multidimensional perspective to facilitate the translation of science into practice and vice versa. A Movement Evaluation Model is presented and focuses on the measurable movement outcome of resultants on numerous interactions of individual, environmental and task constraints. The model blends the analysis of preferred movement strategies with a battery of cognitive movement control tests to assist clinical judgement as to how to optimize movement health across an individual lifespan.