Posterior stabilising capacity can be relevant for running, landing, lifting, sprinting, field sport tasks and gym-based lower-limb training. The Posterior Stabilising Line Test provides a practical way to assess how well a client maintains posterior-line alignment in a standardised Bunkie position.
The test is usually performed on both sides. The score is the hold time in seconds before alignment is lost, compensation appears, symptoms become unacceptable or the client stops.
The result should be interpreted with the other Bunkie positions, posterior powerline testing, hamstring and hip strength, trunk endurance, symptoms and movement quality.
Test name: Posterior Stabilising Line Test
Bunkie category: Posterior stabilising line
Common format: Timed posterior stabilising Bunkie hold
Primary score: Hold time in seconds
Best use: Posterior stability, side-to-side comparison and baseline/retest tracking
Key limitation: It is protocol-specific and should not be interpreted as one isolated muscle test
The Posterior Stabilising Line Test is a Bunkie endurance hold performed in a posterior-line stability position.
The client supports the body using the selected Bunkie setup while maintaining pelvis, trunk and lower-limb alignment. The position is held for time until form failure, symptoms or voluntary stop.
The exact setup should be recorded because bench height, limb position, pelvis position and stopping criteria all affect the result.
The test may be used to assess:
Posterior-line stabilising endurance
Pelvis and trunk control
Hip and lower-limb stability contribution
Side-to-side differences
Baseline and retest change
Symptom response during posterior-line loading
Compensation during stability holds
Line-to-line comparison within the Bunkie battery
The primary score is hold time in seconds.
The result may reflect:
Posterior stabilising-line endurance
Pelvis and trunk control
Hip stability contribution
Lower-limb control
Side-to-side endurance difference
Pain or symptom response
Fatigue tolerance
Familiarisation and motivation
It should not be described as isolated strength or endurance of one muscle group.
The test may be useful for runners, field sport athletes, court sport athletes, gym clients, lower-limb strength clients and professionals monitoring posterior-line endurance and control.
It may not be suitable if the client has acute back, hip, hamstring, knee, ankle or foot irritability; high pain; poor bridge or plank tolerance; or inability to maintain the required position safely.
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 pelvis or body alignment
Measurz platform for side, position, time, symptoms, compensations and comparison
Set the bench, box or step to a standardised height.
Position the client in the selected posterior stabilising Bunkie position.
Record the side tested first.
Ask the client to lift into the correct position and maintain trunk, pelvis and lower-limb alignment.
Start timing once the correct position is achieved.
Ask the client to hold the position without pelvis drop, trunk rotation, shoulder compensation or foot movement.
Stop when alignment is lost, compensation occurs, symptoms become unacceptable or the client chooses to stop.
Record hold time, side tested and reason for stopping.
Repeat on the opposite side after consistent rest.
Record hold time in seconds for each side.
Interpretation should include:
Side tested
Hold time
Bench height
Body position
Pelvis alignment
Lower-limb position
Pain or symptoms
Compensation
Reason for stopping
Comparison side
Previous baseline
A longer hold time generally suggests better posterior stabilising-line endurance under the selected protocol. However, the result should be interpreted cautiously because setup, symptoms, fatigue and familiarisation can all influence performance.
Bunkie Test research has reported descriptive data in healthy adults, with many positions averaging around 40 seconds. Field protocols often use 20–40 seconds as practical guide ranges.
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 depends on consistent bench height, limb position, pelvis position, side order, rest period, instructions and stopping criteria.
The Posterior Stabilising Line Test may provide useful information about posterior-line stability and endurance, but it should not be used alone to diagnose injury risk, determine readiness or identify one muscle deficit.
Common errors include changing bench height, changing limb position, allowing pelvis drop, allowing trunk rotation, overusing the lower back, not recording symptoms, testing while fatigued, using inconsistent rest and comparing modified versions directly.
Limitations include setup variability, fatigue, motivation, learning effect, symptom influence and limited universal normative data.
Use this test to monitor posterior stabilising-line endurance, compare sides and track response to training.
It is most useful when interpreted alongside posterior powerline testing, hamstring bridge endurance, hip strength, leg curl testing, trunk endurance, lower-limb symptoms and movement quality.
Record:
Test name
Bunkie line
Side tested
Hold time
Bench height
Body position
Pelvis position
Lower-limb 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 pelvis or body-line position if needed.
It measures posterior stabilising-line endurance and control in a Bunkie position.
No. They are related Bunkie positions but should be recorded and interpreted separately.
Yes. Side-to-side comparison is one of the most useful parts of the test.
Many field protocols use 20–40 seconds as a practical guide, but baseline and retest comparison are more useful.
No. It should be interpreted with other strength, endurance, movement and symptom findings.
The Posterior Stabilising Line Test is a Bunkie posterior-line stability 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.
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.
