Strength Endurance: Medial Stabilising Line Test (Bunkie)

Medial-line endurance can be relevant for running, cutting, kicking, change of direction, skating, field sports, court sports and lower-limb strength training. The Medial Stabilising Line Test provides a practical way to assess how well a client maintains a medial-line Bunkie hold.

The test is usually performed on both sides. The score is the hold time in seconds before form failure, symptoms, compensation or voluntary stop.

The result should be interpreted alongside the other Bunkie positions, adductor strength, hip strength, side-to-side comparison, groin symptoms and movement quality.

Quick Summary

Test name: Medial Stabilising Line Test
Bunkie category: Medial stabilising line
Common format: Timed medial-line Bunkie hold
Primary score: Hold time in seconds
Best use: Medial-line endurance, side-to-side comparison and baseline/retest tracking
Key limitation: It is demanding and should not be interpreted as an isolated adductor test or groin injury screen

What Is This Assessment?

The Medial Stabilising Line Test is a Bunkie endurance hold performed in a medial-line support position.

The client supports the body using the selected medial-line Bunkie setup with the foot or lower limb positioned on a bench, box or step. The client holds the body in alignment while avoiding pelvis drop, trunk rotation, shoulder compensation or loss of lower-limb position.

The exact setup must be recorded because bench height, limb position, support method and stopping criteria strongly influence the result.

Why It Is Used

The test may be used to assess:

Medial-line endurance
Adductor-line contribution
Pelvis and trunk control
Side-to-side differences
Baseline and retest change
Symptom response during medial-line loading
Compensation during challenging side support
Line-to-line comparison within the Bunkie battery

What It Measures

The primary score is hold time in seconds.

The result may reflect:

Medial-line endurance
Adductor and medial thigh contribution
Pelvis and trunk control
Shoulder support tolerance
Lower-limb position control
Side-to-side endurance difference
Pain or groin symptom response
Familiarisation and motivation

It should not be described as isolated adductor strength or used as a stand-alone groin injury screen.

Who It Is Useful For

The test may be useful for field sport athletes, court sport athletes, runners, skaters, kicking athletes, gym clients and lower-limb strength clients.

It may not be suitable if the client has acute groin pain, adductor irritability, hip pain, shoulder pain, wrist pain, high pain irritability, poor side-plank tolerance or inability to maintain the required position safely.

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 medial stabilising Bunkie position.
3. Record the side tested first.
4. Align the body so the trunk, pelvis and supported limb are controlled.
5. Start the stopwatch once the correct position is achieved.
6. Ask the client to hold the position without hip drop, trunk rotation, shoulder collapse, groin pain escalation or loss of lower-limb position.
7. Stop when alignment is lost, compensation occurs, symptoms become unacceptable or the client 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 position
Lower-limb support position
Pelvis alignment
Pain or groin symptoms
Compensation
Reason for stopping
Comparison side
Previous baseline

A longer hold time generally suggests better medial stabilising-line endurance under the selected Bunkie setup. However, interpretation should consider adductor tolerance, shoulder support, fatigue, body position, symptoms and familiarity with the test.

Normative Data, Benchmarks or Reference Values

Bunkie Test research has reported descriptive data in healthy adults and noted that the medial stabilising line may be more difficult than several other positions. Field protocols often use lower practical expectations for this position compared with 40-second Bunkie positions.

Practical field guide:

30+ seconds: strong current tolerance
20–29 seconds: moderate current tolerance
10–19 seconds: developing current tolerance
Under 10 seconds: low current tolerance

Use these as context only. Baseline comparison, side-to-side comparison, symptom response and retest consistency are more important than rigid cut-offs.

Reliability and Validity

Reliability depends on consistent bench height, limb position, pelvis alignment, side order, rest period, instructions and stopping criteria.

The Medial Stabilising Line Test may provide useful information about medial-line endurance, but it should not be used alone to diagnose groin injury risk, determine readiness or identify isolated adductor function.

Common Errors and Limitations

Common errors include changing bench height, changing limb support position, allowing hip drop, rotating the trunk, collapsing through the shoulder, continuing despite groin pain, not recording symptoms, testing while fatigued, using inconsistent rest and comparing modified versions directly.

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

Practical Applications

Use this test to monitor medial-line endurance, compare sides and track response to training.

It is most useful when interpreted alongside adductor strength, Copenhagen-style holds, hip strength, lateral-line Bunkie testing, change-of-direction demands, groin symptoms and movement quality.

How to Record This in Measurz / MAT

Record:

Test name
Bunkie line
Side tested
Hold time
Bench height
Body position
Lower-limb support position
Pelvis position
Pain score
Groin symptoms
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 Medial Stabilising Line Test measure?

It measures medial-line endurance and control in a Bunkie position.

Is it an adductor strength test?

No. It may involve the adductors, but it is not an isolated adductor strength test.

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?

The medial line is often more demanding than other Bunkie positions. Use baseline, side-to-side comparison and retesting rather than rigid cut-offs.

Should groin symptoms be recorded?

Yes. Pain, tightness, cramping, compensation and reason for stopping should all be recorded.

Key Takeaways

The Medial Stabilising Line Test is a challenging Bunkie medial-line endurance hold.
The primary score is hold time in seconds.
Side-to-side comparison is highly useful.
The result should not be treated as isolated adductor strength or a groin injury screen.
Setup consistency is essential for meaningful retesting.
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.