The Klatt test was designed by Lois Klatt, PhD,
the director of the Physical Performance Laboratory at Concordia College, River
Forest, Illinois, and is used to effectively highlight possible muscular
imbalances at the knee, hip, pelvis and lower back.
The Klatt test is quick and simple, and the
results generally provide an accurate idea of what needs to be addressed in a
training program.
How it's done:
- The
test is to be done barefoot.
- Start
by standing on a platform (can be as low as 2 centimeters for rehabilitation
purposes, or if testing the elderly)
- Extend
both arms out in front of you and lock your hands together.
- Extend
one foot out in front of you on a 15 degree angle.
- Hop
off the platform (about 3-4 inches in front of the platform).
- The
evaluator should be monitoring how the knee, hips, and trunk react to the
landing.
- Only
one rep is to be performed.
- Raise
the height of the platform to increase the difficulty until at least two
imbalances are detected.
The possible outcomes may vary – if the test
subject hops:
- Medially
- adductors may be weak
- Laterally
- abductors may be weak
- Forward
- hamstrings may be weak
- Knee
buckles - VMO may be weak
- Leans
forward - glute max may be weak
- Bends
to the side - quadratus lumborum may be weak
As stated above, the results of the Klatt test
enable you to effectively prescribe the appropriate exercises to correct
imbalances that were revealed, those being:
- Lunge
variations are of higher value if the subject hops medially
- Glute-ham
raises are of higher value if the subject hops laterally
- Leg
curl variations are of higher value if the subject hops forward
- High
step-ups are of higher value if the subject's knees buckle
- Reverse
hyperextensions are of higher value if the subject leans forward
- Side
bends are of higher value if the subject bends sideways
Regular testing is important to have a better
understanding of whether or not a program is working, but not should not
interfere with the training program itself. This is why the Klatt test is so
valuable – it can be performed quickly, and doesn’t negatively affect recovery.
If you have any questions about how to perform
the Klatt test, or how to determine the results and what needs to be done to
correct imbalances that are revealed from the Klatt test, feel free to contact
me at ben@paramounttraining.ca. I'm available for online consulting and
personalized program design, as well as one on one training if you are located
in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
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