Movement Assessment is an exercise that aims to assess dynamic flexibility, the structural alignment of the whole body and bilateral standing stance neuromuscular control. To squat properly one requires having the best possible knees, ankles and hips mobility. It is in knowing compensation that we can determine the underactive and overactive muscles. Form this interventions can then be determined. In case of probable overactive muscles the possible interventions include static stretching, self-myofascial release and neuromuscular stretching all of which are flexibility exercises. The muscles involved in performing squats include quadriceps, gluteus maximus, adductor magnus, soleus, hamstrings, gastrocnemius, erector spinae, rectus abdominis and obliques. The spines is maintained by rectus abdominis, erector spinae, obliques and transverse abdominis. Hip extension is carried out by hamstrings during a squat, quadriceps are prime knee extensor muscles while adductors are considered secondary muscles which provide posture to the limb and prevent inward or outward swing (Dale, 2013). On the other hand for the probable under active muscles exercises to strengthen these muscles will be employed. Some of the strength exercises used include positional isometrics, isolated strengthening and integrated dynamic movement. Corrective exercise achieves its goal through inhibition, lengthening, activation and integration. For the test there are kinetic checkpoints that are checked for compensation. The main kinetic checkpoints are the foot/ankle, the upper body (shoulder and cervical spine), the knee and the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex the assessment is usually done on three main planes of view. This is the anterior view, posterior view and the lateral view (Chiari et al., 2005).
Overhead squats and its modification is basically an exercise where arms are raised above the head. This movement aims at stressing the muscles of the shoulder complex. For the core stabilizing muscles it also places an increased demand. For the check point foot and ankle when the feet flatten the overactive muscles are Peroneals, lat. gastrocnemius, bicep femoris (short head) and tensor fascia latae while the underactive muscles are anterior tibialis, posterior tibialis, and med. gastrocnemius and gluteus medius. When feet turn out the overactive muscles are soleus, lat. gastrocnemius, bicep femoris and tensor fascia latae while the underactive muscles are med. gastrocnemius, med. hamstring gluteus medius/maximus, gracialis and popliteus. When the heels are raised the overactive muscle is soleus while the under active muscle is anterior tibialis (Liebenson, 2003).
References
Dale, P. (2013). Which Muscles are Used While Squatting with Weights? | LIVESTRONG.COM. LIVESTRONG.COM. Retrieved 27 February 2016, from http://www.livestrong.com/article/340572-which-muscles-are-used-while-squatting-with-weights/
Chiari, L., Croce, U. Della, Leardini, A., Cappozzo, A., Chiari, L., Croce, U. Della, Cappozzo, A. (2005). Human movement analysis using stereophotogrammetry. Gait & Posture, 21(2), 226–237.
Liebenson, C. (2003). Activity modification advice: Part II - Squats. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 7(McGill), 230–232.
