In the developmental sequence, planking and sitting upright begin to establish the reactive sagittal plane pattern. This strong connection between our upper and lower body allows us to support many important activities such as pushing a lawn mower or lifting a suitcase into an overhead bin. As we push heavy objects or lift something overhead, we use this pattern to resist the forces that would take our trunk out of alignment.

Reactive sagittal plane stability is fundamental to many sport activities such as running and jumping, by resisting extension and transferring forces from the lower body to the upper body. This pattern is screened using the Trunk Stability Push-up (TSPU). TSPU is not meant to test upper body strength in isolation. The goal is to use the upper body movement in this position to challenge the trunk stability pattern.

Continuing our Functional Movement Screen (FMS) series, this week we demonstrate the TSPU. This marks the sixth of seven movement screens used as part of a scoring system to determine a body’s readiness to engage in higher level physical activities in the weight room and on the field. The FMS screen is NOT a training tool or exercise guide. It is comprised of movement patterns that require mobility and stability. These movements were specifically designed to place clients in positions where weaknesses, imbalances, asymmetries and limitations become noticeable by a trained fitness professional.