Which test differentiates iliopsoas and rectus femoris tightness contributing to anterior pelvic tilt?

Which test differentiates iliopsoas and rectus femoris tightness contributing to anterior pelvic tilt?

• A. Kendall test
• B. Ely test
• C. Apley's scratch test
• D. Sahrmann core stability test

Answer: (A)

The test is designed to tell which hip flexor is tight by changing how the rectus femoris is put under stretch. Rectus femoris crosses both the hip and the knee, so its tightness depends on knee position. In this approach, you compare hip flexion when the knee is extended versus when the knee is flexed. If hip flexion is limited when the knee is extended (rectus femoris is stretched) but improves when the knee is flexed (rectus femoris is slackened), the tightness comes from the rectus femoris. If hip flexion remains limited even with the knee flexed, the iliopsoas is the tight culprit. This is exactly what the Kendall test is used for: it differentiates iliopsoas tightness from rectus femoris tightness contributing to anterior pelvic tilt. For context, the Ely test also screens rectus femoris tightness but does not distinguish which hip flexor is the primary limiter. Apley’s scratch test and the Sahrmann core stability tests assess different areas (shoulder mobility and core stability, respectively).

The test is designed to tell which hip flexor is tight by changing how the rectus femoris is put under stretch. Rectus femoris crosses both the hip and the knee, so its tightness depends on knee position. In this approach, you compare hip flexion when the knee is extended versus when the knee is flexed.

If hip flexion is limited when the knee is extended (rectus femoris is stretched) but improves when the knee is flexed (rectus femoris is slackened), the tightness comes from the rectus femoris. If hip flexion remains limited even with the knee flexed, the iliopsoas is the tight culprit. This is exactly what the Kendall test is used for: it differentiates iliopsoas tightness from rectus femoris tightness contributing to anterior pelvic tilt.

For context, the Ely test also screens rectus femoris tightness but does not distinguish which hip flexor is the primary limiter. Apley’s scratch test and the Sahrmann core stability tests assess different areas (shoulder mobility and core stability, respectively).