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.
Decreasing the risk of injury through assessment
Movement impairments observed during the Overhead Squat Assessment may be the result of alterations in available joint motion, muscle activation, and overall neuromuscular control. Being able to identify such compensations during the assessment allows the fitness professional to provide programming that can improve compensation and decrease the risk for knee injuries.
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. Both extremes are problematic, and our goal as fitness professionals is to address these potential issues through programming.