Wall Squat Test
The wall squat test is a simple test of lower body muscular strength and endurance. The test requires the subject to hold a sitting position while leaning back against a wall. There is also a similar single-leg wall sit test.
purpose: to measure the strength endurance of the lower body, particularly the strength of your quads, hamstrings and glutes.
equipment required: flat non-slip floor, smooth wall and a stopwatch.
pre-test: Explain the test procedures to the subject. Perform screening of health risks and obtain informed consent. Prepare forms and record basic information such as age, height, body weight, gender, test conditions. Perform an appropriate warm-up (leg stretches, squats). See more details of pre-test procedures.
wall squat test positionprocedure: Stand comfortably with feet shoulder width apart and about 2 feet from the wall, with your back against a smooth vertical wall. Slowly slide your back down the wall to assume a position with both your knees and hips at a 90° angle. Move the feet distance from the wall if required. Ensure that the feet are flat on the ground, the back flat against the wall, and the knees and hips are at right angles. The knees should be directly above your ankles (rather than over your toes), and the thighs paraeele to the ground. The timing starts when the correct position is assumed, and is stopped when the subject cannot maintain that position.
scoring: record the total time in seconds that the position was held.
comments: the arm should be left in a comfortable position across the chest, resting on the thighs or hanging by the side. You may want to use a method to measure the correct knee angle.
contraindications: this test is not suitable for obese people, or those with knee pain or lower leg injury.
variations / alternatives: there is the similar single leg wall sit test performed with one leg raised.
advantages: This test requires minimal equipment and can be conducted with large groups all at once.
Similar Tests
- Single-Leg Wall Sit — hold a sitting position with the weight on one leg, while leaning back against a wall.
- Single leg squat test — functional leg strength test in which participants squat down until about 60° knee flexion.
- Chair Stand — stand up repeatedly from a chair for 30 seconds
- Home squat test — perform as many squats as you can
Related Pages
- Other muscle strength fitness tests
- This test is part of the Fit Test for the P90X Home Fitness Workout.
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