- Image courtesy of integra-training.net
Last week I was fortunate to be able to participate in a couple really great study groups ran by Michelle Amore at Precision Human Performance. We spent a while going over the AMC&S positions for multiple tests and really tried to dial in on the precision of those. One thing I had made the mistake of when I first started learning MAT™ and have been trying to be more conscientious of the past number of months is making sure that the force I apply in the testing position is 90 degrees to the lever I am trying to test. With a lot of upper extremity and lower extremity tests, this lever is easier to see. But with trunk and spine AMC&S tests, it has often proven to be more difficult.
When I first started, the force I applied in a lot of my tests was 90 degrees to the body, which is distinctly different than 90 degrees to the lever. Reason being, the body has some amount of thickness, which tilts the lever created to such an angle that my force was no longer being applied perpendicular to that lever, and as such was less efficient at causing motion around the axis (technically axes) created by the tissue I was trying to bias towards.
In order to apply my force in a direction that was most efficient at causing motion around said axis, I needed to understand some things in greater detail. Because historically I have found these things most difficult for myself to find in the trunk and spine, I will frame this list in that context.
First, I needed to understand where exactly the tissue I was trying to bias my force towards attached. Which vertebrae did this muscle cross?
Second, I needed to understand the opportunities for motion that were allowed by the structure of the involved vertebrae. For example, understanding what the structure that the tissue crossed actually allowed for lateral flexion compared to the position of the AMC&S test.
Third, after I located the tissue and understood the structure, I needed to figure out where the axis was that is created by the tissue and the given structure relative to the force that was to be applied for the AMC&S test.
Fourth, after the axis was determined, I needed to find which point of application for my force would give me the greatest mechanical ability to create motion around this axis in the plane required by the AMC&S test.
Finally, after finding that point, I could find the lever that was created between the axis and the point of application of my force, and then apply my force at a 90 degree force angle to that lever.
Similar to what I discussed last week with the CAMs, taking the time to precisely set up the AMC&S tests has made a big difference in the responses I get from my clients' bodies. Understand that the force you apply during the test will be 90 degrees to some lever, but it is important to make sure it is 90 degrees to the lever you are trying to test. If a position is unable to be held but your force was not applied in the appropriate direction, two issues have been created: 1) you have a designed a test that doesn't necessarily bias towards the desired tissue, and 2) you have designed a test that may not be recreated exactly during the retest. Both of these issues may lead to false information that may be affecting the types of response you are getting from your clients.
If any of this discussion was unclear or didn't make sense, drop a comment below and let me know! Additionally, if you are having difficulty understanding the axis, lever, etc. concepts, take RTS™!
How precise are you with setting up your AMC&S tests and your force application during these tests?
Interested in finding out more? Check out the “Muscle Activation Techniques™” page.
Interested in setting up an assessment time or discussing this subject further? E-mail Charlie at charlie@selfmadefitness.com.
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