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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
Explain the movement and scoring method.
Record the client’s starting position.
Assess spinal flexion.
Assess spinal extension.
Assess right and left lateral flexion.
Assess right and left rotation.
Record range, symptoms, movement quality and any side-to-side differences.
Repeat using the same instructions and setup on retest.
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.
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
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 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
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
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.
It records spinal movement across common directions such as flexion, extension, side bending and rotation.
No. It records movement and symptoms but does not diagnose pathology.
Where possible, degrees improve retest consistency. Qualitative notes can also be useful.
Yes. Measurz can record movement direction, range, symptoms, quality and progress.
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.
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.
