Spine Flexibility Testing: MAT Spinal Assessment

The MAT Spinal Assessment evaluates spinal movement across common directions such as flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation. The MAT article describes it as an assessment of spinal movements across all three planes of motion, allowing a baseline flexibility measurement to be recorded and tracked over time.  

Exact validation evidence for the MAT-specific spinal assessment is limited, so evidence should be drawn from related research on spinal range of motion measurement, inclinometry, smartphones and inertial measurement units.

Introduction

Spinal movement assessment can provide useful baseline information about how a client moves through flexion, extension, side bending and rotation. It can also help monitor change over time when performed consistently.

However, spinal range of motion is not a diagnosis. A person may have limited movement without symptoms, or symptoms without a large ROM restriction. The MAT Spinal Assessment should be interpreted with symptoms, function, strength, control, sport demands and broader assessment findings.

Quick Summary

Test name: MAT Spinal Assessment
Category: Spinal movement / range of motion assessment
Primary outputs: Movement direction, range, symmetry, symptoms and quality notes
Best use: Baseline spinal movement profile and retesting
Key limitation: Exact MAT-specific reliability and normative data are limited.

What Is the Assessment?

The MAT Spinal Assessment is a structured assessment of spinal movements across common movement planes. These may include:

• Flexion
• Extension
• Lateral flexion
• Rotation
• Combined or sport-specific spinal movements

The MAT article states that the assessment allows professionals to record baseline flexibility measurements and track progress over time.  

Why It Is Used

The assessment may be used to:

• Record spinal movement baseline
• Compare movement directions
• Identify obvious asymmetries
• Track changes over time
• Monitor response to mobility, strength or movement programmes
• Support exercise planning and movement education

What It Measures

The assessment may reflect:

• Spinal range of motion
• Movement symmetry
• Segmental or regional movement strategy
• Symptom response
• Movement quality
• Confidence and control
• Baseline flexibility profile

It does not diagnose spinal pathology or determine safety for lifting, sport or activity on its own.

Who It Is Used For

It may be useful for:

• General fitness clients
• Athletes
• Gym clients
• Runners
• Field sport athletes
• Clients monitoring spinal mobility
• Professionals wanting structured movement records

It may need modification if a client has symptoms, dizziness, balance issues or cannot tolerate a specific movement.

Equipment Required

• Open space
• Optional mat
• Measurz inclinometer for angle-based spinal movement measurement
• Measurz AR measurement for distance-based or setup measures
• Measurz stopwatch, rep counter or metronome for related movement endurance or rhythm-based tests
• MAT tools such as Anker, Gripper and Muscle Meter for related strength testing where relevant
• Measurz/MAT platform to record movement direction, range, symptoms, quality and retest comparison

Step-by-Step Protocol

1. Explain the movement and scoring method.
2. Record the client’s starting position.
3. Assess spinal flexion.
4. Assess spinal extension.
5. Assess right and left lateral flexion.
6. Assess right and left rotation.
7. Record range, symptoms, movement quality and any side-to-side differences.
8. Repeat using the same instructions and setup on retest.

Scoring and Interpretation

Possible scoring options:

• Degrees of motion
• Distance reached
• Symmetry comparison
• Qualitative movement rating
• Symptom response
• Movement confidence
• Compensation notes

Interpretation should focus on baseline versus retest, side-to-side comparison and relationship with the client’s goals or activities.

Normative Data, Benchmarks or Reference Values

Universal spinal ROM norms vary by body region, age, sex, testing method and device. For MAT use, avoid rigid pass/fail cut-offs unless protocol-specific reference data are available.

Practical reference approach:

• Compare left versus right rotation
• Compare left versus right lateral flexion
• Compare baseline and retest range
• Record symptoms and movement quality
• Use the same device and setup each time

Reliability and Validity

Exact MAT Spinal Assessment reliability evidence is limited. Related evidence supports using standardised devices and protocols for spinal ROM measurement. A systematic review found that smartphone applications can show reliability and validity for spinal kinematic variables, while newer IMU research suggests promise for measuring lumbar spine movement but also highlights the need for careful validation and standardisation.  

For thoracic movement, recent validation research supports the use of inclinometry with standardised protocols for thoracic spinal ROM measurement.  

Common Errors and Limitations

Common errors include:

• Changing start position
• Measuring with different devices
• Not recording symptoms
• Overinterpreting one ROM score
• Allowing excessive hip or shoulder compensation
• Comparing qualitative and angle-based scores directly
• Assuming limited movement equals pathology

Practical Applications

The MAT Spinal Assessment can help professionals:

• Build a spinal movement baseline
• Track progress over time
• Compare movement directions
• Support exercise selection
• Record movement quality
• Combine spinal mobility with strength, endurance, ROM and outcome measures

How to Record This in Measurz/MAT

Record:

• Test name: MAT Spinal Assessment
• Movement direction
• Measurement method
• Angle or distance
• Side tested where relevant
• Symptoms
• Pain score
• Movement quality
• Compensations
• Retest date

Use Measurz inclinometer for angular movement, AR measurement for distance/setup consistency, and notes for symptoms or compensations.

FAQs

What does the MAT Spinal Assessment measure?

It records spinal movement across common directions such as flexion, extension, side bending and rotation.

Does it diagnose spinal problems?

No. It records movement and symptoms but does not diagnose pathology.

Should spinal ROM be measured in degrees?

Where possible, degrees improve retest consistency. Qualitative notes can also be useful.

Can Measurz record the assessment?

Yes. Measurz can record movement direction, range, symptoms, quality and progress.

Key Takeaways

• The MAT Spinal Assessment records spinal movement baseline.
• It should include flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation where appropriate.
• Exact MAT-specific norms are limited.
• Standardisation is essential.
• Measurz can track range, symptoms and retest change.

References

Pourahmadi, M., et al. (2020). Validity and reliability of smartphones in assessing spinal kinematics: A systematic review. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.

Shah, A., et al. (2024). Validity and reliability of inertial measurement units used to measure motion of the lumbar spine: A systematic review of individuals with and without low back pain. Medical Engineering & Physics.

Wang, Y., et al. (2025). The baseline bubble inclinometer measurement of sagittal thoracic spinal range of motion: A validation study. Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering.