Postural Tolerances

Explanatory Notes:

• Explanation: “The following tests look at your ability to hold positions for up to 3 minutes. During that time you will be to perform a task. Hold each position as long as you comfortably can, let me know if you are experiencing any discomfort at any time with the test. You can stop any test at any time you want.”
• Consider the order of postural tests to help with tissue recovery.
• If you see spikes in heart rate it can be beneficial to ask where they are feeling discomfort as they may not volunteer the information.

Squat:

• “This tests looks at your ability to hold a low level squatting position. I would like you to squat in front of the box and trying not to slump through your back I would like you to work with the nuts and bolts. Don’t rest your arms on your knees or hands on the box. I will take your heart rate every 30 seconds.” (Provide during DEMO)
• Nuts and bolts are placed on 20 cm box.

Kneeling

• “This tests looks at your ability to tolerate low level postures. I would like you to kneel in front of the box and trying not to slump through your back I would like you to work with the nuts and bolts. Don’t rest your arms on your knees or hands on the box. I will take your heart rate every 30 seconds.” (Provide during DEMO)
• Nuts and bolts are placed on 20 cm box.

Stoop:

• Position bolts/nuts in front of client on a 20cm box
• Request the client to bend from the back while protecting the back. Knees should be bent, manual handling principles followed, including adoption of correct spinal posture.
• Explanation: “This test looks at your ability to bend at your hips, so try not to bend your back. Feel the curve in your low back when you stand … you want best you can to keep that when you bend over from the hips. The easiest way to do this is to take you feet a bit wider than the box and soften your knees; bend from your hips pushing your bottom backwards as you let your arms hang down to work with the objects on the box. This will make it easier on your hamstrings. It is normal to feel a pull in the back of your legs. Let me know if you feel any discomfort. Again I will be taking your heart rate every 30 seconds” (Provide DEMO while instructing and then give a chance to trial position prior to starting test)
• Some effective cues can be:

o Stick your tail feathers out

o Bow to the queen

o Wicket keeper position

o Rugby scrum position

• Many clients have issues with this test and have difficulty understand the functionality of this test. It can be beneficial to explain that this helps us determine how they would tolerate low level work in situations where they cannot bend their knees fully, squat or kneel. Explain it seldom is done for 3 minute but as we cannot view them working over the course of 12 hours this test helps us extrapolate how they would move and tolerate repetitive or loaded exposures. Also advise that normally bracing or bracketing on the legs or external objects would be recommended to help prevent stress on the spine.
• Monitor spinal posture, signs of fatigue, difficulty in postural dissociation, ability to self-correct, frequency of cues, etc.

Reach Overhead:

• Position nuts/bolts of on the platform at a height such that their hands are above head height when performing the task.
• Ask applicant to position self in standing, shoulders flexed and not resting on the boxes, neck extended.
• Explanation: “This test looks at your ability to work with objects over your head. Don’t let your arms rest on the box or drop down from overhead. I will take your heart rate every 30 seconds.” (DEMO)
• Monitor shoulder girdle and back function. Watch for compensations, posture, signs of fatigue, difficulty in postural dissociation, ability to self-correct, frequency of cues, etc.

Reach Above Shoulder:

• Position nuts/bolts of on platform at a height such that their hands are above shoulder height when performing the task.
• Ask applicant to position self in standing, shoulders flexed and not resting on the boxes, neck extended.
• Explanation: “This test looks at your ability to work with objects over your head. Don’t let your arms rest on the box or drop down from overhead. I will take your heart rate every 30 seconds.” (DEMO)
• Monitor shoulder girdle and back function. Watch for compensations.

Forward Reach:

• Position platform at a height of approximately 800mm
• Have the client stand with their toes approximately 10-15 cm back from the front of the platform (an easy way to achieve this is have them place there arms straight at shoulder height, walk in to the test station until their hands touch), assuming a bend from their hips while preserving appropriate spinal posture. Arms are outstretched to the back of the station.
• Have the client manipulate the nuts and bolts..
• Explanation: “This last tests looks at your ability to work with objects positioned away from your body. Lean slightly forward from the hips while again keeping your spine upright you need to reach your hands forward to shift the weights from one pile to the next. Don’t rest your arms on the bench or put weight down through your hands. Keep a nice steady pace. Again I will monitor your heart rate.” (DEMO)
• Monitor spinal posture, signs of fatigue, difficulty in postural dissociation, ability to self-correct, frequency of cues, etc.