WHAT IS THE OVERHEAD SQUAT ASSESSMENT?
The overhead squat is a dynamic movement assessment. It is the quickest way to gain an overall impression of a client’s functional status. This assessment helps to evaluate one’s dynamic flexibility, core strength, balance, and overall neuromuscular control. As a person’s posture changes with every activity they perform in life, it is important that we evaluate the ability to handle the stresses placed on the kinetic chain. The overhead squat assessment is a tool that can assist with this.
Overactive, or shortened, muscles are those muscles that are commonly referred to as “tight”. This leads to a reduced range of motion at certain joints.
Underactive muscles are those that tend to have a decreased neural drive. In other words, they are not being activated for any number of reasons, leading to a lack of tension through them.
