- Back health is a vital component of ones overall fitness level. Lower back pain is a common deterrent to a good portion of the population which can interfere when engaging in exercise (Hughes, 1977). To assess back health in regards to flexibility, the sit and each test is performed. The participant sits on the floor with the legs fully extended and then reaches forward as far as they can go. Muscular endurance in the lower back is measured by the Biering – Sorensen method. During this method, the participant has to support their upper body while their legs are fixed to a table. The length that this position can be held is then used as a measure of muscular endurance. To get an overall composite back fitness score, waist circumference, abdominal muscle endurance (partial curl-up test done in the previous week), back extension endurance (Biering – Sorensen method), flexibility (sit and reach test), and physical activity are taken into account. Lower back strength and flexibility is important because it helps ensure that the spine and pelvis are properly supported in the right position (Oztug, 2011). Furthermore, it helps maintain spine positioning so that excessive curvature does not occur (Oztug, 2011).
We have attached a sample of what a back health assessment looks like for clients at Dynamic Fitness!
Data for subject 1 will be shown first, and then followed by the data for subject 2:
Sit & Reach:
- 41.9cm & 42.4cm
- both subjects were in the excellent category
Back extension
- 150 & 180
- subject 1 scored a very good rating
- subject 2 scored an excellent rating