The Seated Trunk Rotation Test is designed to identify how much rotational mobility is present in the thoraco-lumbar spine. Good separation between the upper and lower body is important to help generate speed and maintain a stable posture during the golf swing.

Many golfers lack true thoracic spine rotation. The lack of rotation may cause you to create excessive lumbar spine rotational forces or overuse the shoulder joint to compensate for limited thoracic spine mobility.

Performing the Seated Trunk Rotation Test

In a seated position, rotate your trunk as far to the right as you can without moving your feet or knees. It is imperative that the knees and pelvis stay still and point forward during the test. You should be able to rotate past the 45 degree mark. Typical measurements range from 45-70 degrees in both directions. Repeat on the opposite side.

Physical Causes for limitations in the Seated Trunk Rotation Test: 

Joint mobility - Any restriction in thoracic spinal mobility is going to make this test difficult to perform. Degenerative joint disease, facet subluxations or rib cage restrictions are the usual suspects. If the thoracic spine has too much kyphosis (“C” Posture), mobility will be greatly reduced since the spine is poor at flexion combined with rotation.

Muscular and myofascial restrictions in the thorax and spinal muscles - Any tightness or fascial restrictions of the latissimus dorsi, erector spinae, multifidus, deep spinal rotators, quadratus lumborum, etc., will reduce the player’s ability to disassociate the lower body from the upper body.

Cervical spine mobility - Any restriction in rotation in the cervical spine can limit the player’s ability to rotate the thorax. The cervical spine goes through 70 degrees of rotation in the average player.