Table 1 Clinical tests for Lumbar Motor Control (LMC)

1) Joint position sense (JPS)

Sitting, feet unsupported, LB in neutral, 5 cm tape-measure, taped at 0 cm at S1, and marked by laser pointer. LB movement from max anterior-max posterior tilt. Subject reposition of LB (neutral), distance measured between 0 cm (S1) and laser pointer.

[13, 14]

2) Sitting Forward lean (SFL)

Sitting, feet supported, LB in neutral, mark with 15 cm ruler at S1 and 10 cm above. 5 repetitions of hip flexion to max 120°, distance between marks (0 cm and 10 cm) measured (cm).

[13, 14, 28]

3) Sitting knee extension (SKE)

Sitting, feet unsupported, LB in neutral, 5 cm tape-measure, taped at 0 cm at S1, and marked by laser pointer. 5 repetitions in knee extension up to at least -10°, distance measured between 0 cm (S1) and laser pointer.

[31, 28]

4) Bent knee fall out (BKFO)

Supine lying, one knee flexed 120°, LB and pelvis in neutral. 5 cm tape-measure placed between right and left ASIS, with 0 cm and laser pointer placed lateral to right ASIS. 5 repetitions of abduction/external hip rotation up to max. 45°, distance measured between laser pointer and 0-point (cm).

[17, 12–14]

5) Leg lowering (LL)

Supine lying, hips flexed 90°, knees maximally flexed, LB in neutral. BPU placed under LB, inflated to 40 mm Hg. LB downward press to increase BPU to 45 mm Hg. 5 repetitions of leg lowering. Increase measured in BPU (mm Hg).

[31, 13, 14]