Strength Endurance: Lateral Stabilising Line Test (Bunkie)

Lateral trunk and hip endurance can be relevant for running, cutting, jumping, landing, change of direction, field sports, court sports and gym-based lower-limb training. The Lateral Stabilising Line Test provides a practical way to assess how well the client can maintain a side-line hold under a standardised Bunkie setup.

The test is usually performed on both sides. The score is the hold time in seconds before the client loses position, compensates, develops unacceptable symptoms or chooses to stop.

The result should be interpreted alongside the other Bunkie positions, side-to-side comparison, lower-limb strength tests, hip strength, trunk endurance, symptoms and movement quality.

Quick Summary

Test name: Lateral Stabilising Line Test
Bunkie category: Lateral stabilising line
Common format: Timed Bunkie side-line hold
Primary score: Hold time in seconds
Best use: Left-right comparison, baseline testing, retesting and line-based endurance monitoring
Key limitation: Position, bench height and stopping criteria strongly influence the result

What Is This Assessment?

The Lateral Stabilising Line Test is a Bunkie endurance hold performed in a side-plank-style position.

The client supports the body using the upper limb and the tested lower limb on a bench, box or step. The opposite limb is positioned according to the selected protocol. The client holds the position while maintaining a straight body line and avoiding hip drop, trunk rotation or shoulder compensation.

The exact setup should be recorded because small changes in foot position, bench height, arm position or alignment can change the result.

Why It Is Used

The test may be used to assess:

Lateral trunk endurance
Lateral hip and lower-limb line control
Side-to-side differences
Baseline and retest change
Symptom response during lateral loading
Compensation during side-line support
Fatigue tolerance in sport or training contexts

It is most useful when used as part of the full Bunkie battery rather than as a single stand-alone result.

What It Measures

The primary score is hold time in seconds.

The result may reflect:

Lateral trunk endurance
Hip abductor and lateral hip contribution
Shoulder support tolerance
Foot and lower-limb position control
Pelvis and trunk alignment
Side-to-side endurance difference
Pain or symptom response
Familiarisation and motivation

It should not be described as an isolated glute medius, oblique, fascia-line or hip test without caution.

Who It Is Useful For

The test may be useful for runners, field sport athletes, court sport athletes, gym clients, lower-limb strength clients, clients with side-to-side performance differences and professionals monitoring line-based endurance.

It may not be suitable if the client has high shoulder, wrist, trunk, hip, knee, ankle or foot irritability; cannot hold a safe side-plank position; has acute pain; or cannot tolerate loaded side support.

Equipment Required

Bunkie bench, box or step of standard height
Mat
Stopwatch or Measurz stopwatch
Optional Measurz AR measurement for bench height and setup
Optional inclinometer for body alignment
Measurz platform for side, position, time, symptoms, compensations and comparison

Step-by-Step Protocol

1. Set the bench, box or step to a standardised height.
2. Position the client in the selected lateral stabilising Bunkie position.
3. Record the side tested first.
4. Align the body so the head, trunk, pelvis and supported leg form a controlled line.
5. Start the stopwatch once the client achieves the correct position.
6. Ask the client to hold the position without hip drop, trunk rotation, shoulder collapse or foot movement.
7. Stop the test when the client loses alignment, compensates, reports unacceptable symptoms or chooses to stop.
8. Record hold time, side tested and reason for stopping.
9. Repeat on the opposite side after consistent rest.

Scoring and Interpretation

Record hold time in seconds for each side.

Interpretation should include:

Side tested
Hold time
Bench height
Body alignment
Arm position
Foot position
Pain or symptoms
Compensation
Reason for stopping
Comparison side
Previous baseline

A longer hold time generally suggests better endurance in that specific lateral Bunkie position. However, interpretation should be cautious because the result is influenced by shoulder tolerance, foot position, trunk control, fatigue, symptoms and familiarity with the test.

The most useful comparisons are:

Left versus right
Baseline versus retest
Lateral line compared with other Bunkie positions
Symptom response across positions

Normative Data, Benchmarks or Reference Values

Bunkie Test research has reported descriptive data in healthy adults, with many positions averaging around 40 seconds, while field protocols often use 20–40 seconds as practical guide ranges. These should be treated as context, not rigid pass/fail cut-offs.

Practical field guide:

40+ seconds: strong current tolerance
20–39 seconds: moderate current tolerance
10–19 seconds: developing current tolerance
Under 10 seconds: low current tolerance

Use the client’s own baseline, side-to-side comparison and retest consistency as the primary benchmarks.

Reliability and Validity

Reliability depends on consistent bench height, body position, side order, rest period, instructions, stopwatch timing and stopping criteria.

The Bunkie Test may be useful as a field battery to assess aspects of muscular endurance and line-based stability, but interpretation remains protocol-specific. It should not be used alone to diagnose injury risk, identify one muscle deficit or make return-to-sport decisions.

Common Errors and Limitations

Common errors include changing bench height, allowing hip drop, allowing trunk rotation, shrugging through the shoulder, changing foot position, not recording side tested, using inconsistent rest, stopping too early, stopping too late and ignoring symptoms.

Limitations include shoulder contribution, setup variability, fatigue, motivation, learning effect and limited universal normative data.

Practical Applications

Use the Lateral Stabilising Line Test to monitor lateral-line endurance, compare sides and track change over time.

It is most useful when interpreted with the other Bunkie positions, lower-limb strength tests, hop testing, hip strength, trunk endurance, symptoms and movement quality.

How to Record This in Measurz / MAT

Record:

Test name
Bunkie line
Side tested
Hold time
Bench height
Body position
Arm position
Foot position
Pain score
Symptom location
Compensation
Reason for stopping
Retest date

Use the Measurz stopwatch for timing. AR measurement can help document bench height and setup. Inclinometer notes may help document trunk or pelvis alignment if needed.

FAQs

What does the Lateral Stabilising Line Test measure?

It measures lateral-line endurance and side-plank-style control in a Bunkie position.

Should both sides be tested?

Yes. Side-to-side comparison is one of the most useful parts of the test.

What is a good score?

Many field protocols use 20–40 seconds as a practical guide, but the client’s own baseline and side-to-side comparison are more useful than rigid cut-offs.

Does it diagnose injury risk?

No. It should not be used alone to diagnose injury risk or readiness.

What should be recorded?

Record side, hold time, bench height, symptoms, compensation and reason for stopping.

Key Takeaways

The Lateral Stabilising Line Test is a side-line Bunkie endurance hold.
The primary score is hold time in seconds.
Side-to-side comparison is highly useful.
Setup consistency is essential for meaningful retesting.
The result should not be used alone to diagnose injury risk or readiness.
Measurz should capture time, side, setup, symptoms and compensation.

References

Brumitt, J., Matheson, J. W., Meira, E. P., et al. (2015). The Bunkie test: Descriptive data for a novel test of core muscular endurance. Rehabilitation Research and Practice, 2015, Article ID 780127.

Cronin, J., et al. (2019). Assessment and application of the Bunkie test in college students. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies.

De Witt, B., & Venter, R. (2009). The ‘Bunkie’ test: Assessing functional strength to restore function through fascia manipulation. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies.