Objectives

To investigate the accuracy of visual assessments made by physical therapists of lumbo-pelvic movements during the squat and deadlift and how much movement is considered injurious.

Design

Quantitative Cross-sectional.

Participants

14 powerlifters, 10 Olympic weightlifters and six physical therapists.

Setting

The lifters were recorded simultaneously by video and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) system while performing squats and deadlifts. The physical therapists assessed the videos and rated whether specific lumbo-pelvic movements were visible during the lifts and whether the movement amplitude was considered injurious.

Main outcome measures

The nominal visual assessments, if there was a movement and if it was considered injurious, were compared to the degrees of movement attained from the IMU system.

Results

During the squat, a posterior pelvic tilt of ≥34° was required to visually detect the movement. For other lumbo-pelvic movements, there was no significant difference in the amount of movement between those who were assessed as moving or not moving their lumbo-pelvic area, nor was there a difference in movement amplitude between those who were assessed as having an increased risk of injury or not.

Conclusions

Physical therapists did not consistently detect lumbo-pelvic movements during squats and deadlifts when performed by competitive lifters.