It’s not as easy as it sounds.
Maintaining a quadruped position (hands and knees) reveals a great deal about your upper body strength and preferred movement strategies. For these reasons, we use this position as a test and exercise within our sports physical therapy setting.
Even strong and muscular patients commonly assume a quadruped position with their shoulder blades pinched close together and deep lower back arch (belly button dropped towards the ground).
This position is often utilized because it conserves energy and allows the body to be lazy. Compression from the lower and upper back is used to hold the torso up against gravity, instead of the abs and muscles involved with reaching. These strategies are common among folks experiencing back pain, shoulder pain and a variety of other issues.
The abs and muscles involved with reaching (for example, the serratus anterior) are essential components of athletic performance, running, walking and pretty much being a human being.
As these skills diminish, the risk of experiencing various injuries may increase.
The bear test is a great way to see if test your upper body strength and movement capabilities.
Think you have what it takes to pass the test? Give it a shot with this drill!
Photo Credit
“Polar bear” by tharendra is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.
