Part two-Functional training: The implications to athletes and coaches
The Hurdle step
Assessing bilateral functional stability and mobility of the hips, knees and ankles is the purpose of this test.
Description of the movement
1. Place both feet together and align the toes directly beneath the hurdle.
2. Adjust the height of the hurdle to match the tibial tuberosity of the person. The tibial tuberosity is the longitudinally elongated, raised and roughened area on the anterior crest of the tibia (which is the inner and larger bone of the lower leg).
3. Place the dowel just below the neck and hold it horizontally across the shoulders.
4. Step slowly over the hurdle and touch the heel to the floor. Keep the supporting leg in an extended position. The weight of the body should remain on the stance leg.
5. Return slowly to the starting position.
6. Give the test three chances and then grade the results.
7. Test a second series of three chances on the opposite leg. The lower score is recorded as the final mark.
The following test results would show a score of three points.
· Ankles, hips, and knees remaining in the same plane i.e. the sagital plane aka the anterior/posterior plane or section parallel to the long axis of the body.
· No movement or minimal movement is noted in the lumbar (lower) spine.
· The dowel and the hurdle remain parallel to the ground
Two points are awarded for the following actions
· The alignment is not maintained between the ankles, hips, and knees.
· Movement is seen in the lumbar spine.
· The dowel and hurdle do not stay in a parallel position.
One point is recorded for these movements
3. Place the dowel just below the neck and hold it horizontally across the shoulders.
4. Step slowly over the hurdle and touch the heel to the floor. Keep the supporting leg in an extended position. The weight of the body should remain on the stance leg.
5. Return slowly to the starting position.
6. Give the test three chances and then grade the results.
7. Test a second series of three chances on the opposite leg. The lower score is recorded as the final mark.
The following test results would show a score of three points.
· Ankles, hips, and knees remaining in the same plane i.e. the sagital plane aka the anterior/posterior plane or section parallel to the long axis of the body.
· No movement or minimal movement is noted in the lumbar (lower) spine.
· The dowel and the hurdle remain parallel to the ground
Two points are awarded for the following actions
· The alignment is not maintained between the ankles, hips, and knees.
· Movement is seen in the lumbar spine.
· The dowel and hurdle do not stay in a parallel position.
One point is recorded for these movements
