21 - 26 MD SCREEN 19/7/06 12:10 pm Page 24 THE PERFORMANCE MATRIX

and a high threshold test can be seen in boxes 1 and 2.

Each element of the testing system has a pass or fail question? Can ‘movement’ be prevented or controlled during the test action: yes ✔ or no ✕ ? Yes is checked ✔, if the control is good. This indicates that there is no weak link at that particular site in that particular direction under that particular load threshold. However, if no is checked as the test result ✕, then there is a weak link present for the site, direc- tion and load tested. A scoring sheet demonstrates performance assets and identifies priority risk factors (weak links).

The unique features of the Performance

Matrix are that: ■ It tests motor control efficiency of movement (site and direction of uncontrolled movement) rather than just individual strength or flexibility parameters

■ It uses functional multi joint tasks and identifies any uncontrolled joint in the chain rather than testing individual joints or muscles isolated from func- tional situations

■ The functionally orientated tasks are generic rather than sport skill or task specific and can be applied to any sport or work screening process

■ It screens for both motor control (low threshold) and strength and speed (high threshold) deficiencies to identi-

SINGLE LEG SMALL KNEE BEND + LUNGE AND LEAN

Start position ■ Stand with one foot forward and one foot back ■ Front foot is 3 foot lengths in front of rear foot (one foot length between front and rear feet) ■ Inside edge of the front foot aligned straight ahead ■ Keeping heel down, bend the knee to lunge forward onto the front foot (the rear heel can lift) ■ Keep the thigh out over the second toe ■ The back should be straight and vertical as if sliding down a wall ■ The pelvis should be facing straight ahead (not rotated away from the front foot)

Test movement ■ Keep the spine straight (don’t let it round out or over arch) ■ Shift the full weight onto the front foot by bending forward at the hips to 45º forward leaning ■ Keep the pelvis facing straight ahead ■ Keep the knee and thigh over the second toe ■ Keeping the rear leg straight lift the rear toe clear of the floor ■ There should be a straight line from the point of the shoulder through the trunk and down the rear leg

■ Hold the position for 5 seconds PERFORMANCE MATRIX ANALYSIS L

Can you prevent rotation of the pelvis? (pelvis stays facing straight ahead)

Can you prevent turning in of the weight-bearing (WB) front knee or rolling down of the arch?

Can you prevent the foot turning out or heel pulling in? (arch rolling down +/- toe clawing) Can you prevent the back from rounding out (flexing)?

Can you prevent the back from over arching (extending)?

Can you prevent sidebending of the trunk or tilting or side shifting of the pelvis?

Can you prevent the non weight-bearing (NWB) rear leg drop- ping from the straight line?

24 R

Yes ■ Yes ■ No ■➔ No ■➔

Yes ■ Yes ■ No ■➔ No ■➔

Yes ■ Yes ■ No ■➔ No ■➔

Yes ■ Yes ■ No ■➔ No ■➔

Yes ■ Yes ■ No ■➔ No ■➔

Yes ■ Yes ■ No ■➔ No ■➔

Yes ■ Yes ■ No ■➔ No ■➔

Box 1: Example of a low threshold test (reproduced with permission of Performance Stability) www.sportex.net

Load Low

Low Low Low Low Low Low

WEAK LINK Site

Direction

Low back Rotation (lumbo-pelvic)

Hip (WB) Rotation (medial)

Lower leg Rotation (WB)(knee)

(lateral)

Low back Flexion (lumbo-pelvic)

Low back Extension (lumbo-pelvic)

Low back Sidebend (lumbo-pelvic)

Hip (NWB) Flexion fy weak links or priority risk factors

■ It also identifies performance assets that can be progressed more rapidly or ‘fast trackedí in training

This Performance Matrix can be used as a risk analysis protocol and can be used to develop a training package where sports medicine, occupational health and exer- cise professionals (doctors, physios, exer- cise physiologists, trainers, coaches, ergonomists and work place assessors) can learn to implement the tests and identify the ‘weak links’ or ‘priority risk factors’ in the Performance Matrix. Different individuals pass or fail different aspects of the testing process so that the individual’s performance risks and assets