KRAUS-WEBER TEST

 Dr. Hans Kraus and Dr. Sonja Weber developed the Kraus-Weber Minimum Test in the 1950’s. The six-item medical fitness test measures the strength and flexibility of key postural (core) muscles. The test consists of five strength challenges and one general flexibility procedure. The Kraus-Weber Tests do not require sophisticated equipment and are easy to administer.

Scoring

These tests are graded on a pass-fail basis. Being unable to perform even one of the six exercises qualifies as failing the test. A variation of the scoring method enables partial movements on each test scored from 0 to 10.

Test Descriptions

1.          Strength of Abdominal and Psoas Muscles

2.          Strength of Abdominal Minus Psoas Muscles -

3.          Strength of Psoas and Lower Abdominal Muscles -

4.          Strength of Upper Back Muscles  

5.          Strength of Lower Back Muscles 

6.          Floor Touch Test

The Kraus-Weber Physical Fitness Report in 1955, based on the results of testing using these tests, led to the development of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and the President’s Challenge program.

1.          Kraus-Weber Abdominal Strength Test 1(Abdominal plus psoas A+)

This abdominal test assesses the strength of the abdominal and psoas muscles.

Purpose: To assess the strength of the abdominal and psoas muscles.

Equipment Required: Flat surface.

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. Ensure that the subjects are adequately warmed-up.

The subject lies down in supine position i.e., flat on his back and hands behind his neck. The legs are straight. The examiner holds the feet to keep them on the ground. The subject is asked to perform one sit- up. If he performs one sit-up, he passes this test. If he cannot raise his shoulders from the table or ground, his score is zero.

Scoring:

This test is graded on a pass-fail basis. The Kraus-Weber test comprises 6 exercises - being unable to perform even one of the six exercises results in failing the test.

2.          Kraus-Weber Abdominal Strength Test 2 (Abdominal minus Psoas A-)

This abdominal test assesses the strength of the abdominal muscles - with minimizing the use of the psoas muscles.

Purpose: to assess the strength of the abdominal muscles.

Equipment Required: flat surface.

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. Ensure that the subjects are adequately warmed-up.

Procedure:

The lying position for this test is the same as the first K-W test - the subject lies down in a supine position flat on his back and hands behind his neck, except that this time the knees are bent. The examiner holds the feet to keep them on the ground. The subject is required to perform one sit-up. If he is able to perform a full sit-up, he passes this test. If he is unable to raise his shoulders from the table or ground, the score is zero.

Scoring:

This test is graded on a pass-fail basis. The Kraus-Weber test comprises 6 exercises - being unable to perform even one of the six exercises results in failing the test.

3.          Kraus-Weber Abdominal Strength Test 3 (Psoas P)

This abdominal test assesses the strength of the lower abdominal muscles.           

Purpose: to assess the strength of the psoas and lower abdominal muscles.           

Equipment required: flat surface, ruler, 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. Ensure that the subjects are adequately warmed-up.

Procedure:

Subject lies in supine position i.e., flat on his back with his hands behind the neck. He is asked to raise his feet 25cm (10 inches) from the ground. His legs should be straight, no bending at the knee. The examiner counts to 10 seconds.

Scoring:

This test is graded on a pass-fail basis. The test is passed if the subject holds the position for ten seconds. The Kraus-Weber test comprises 6 exercises - being unable to perform even one of the six exercises results in failing the test overall.

4.          Upper Back Muscle Strength (Test 4 - Upper back UB)

This back muscle strength test assesses the strength of the upper back muscles.

Purpose: to assess the strength of the upper back muscles.

Equipment Required: flat surface, pillow, 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.

Procedure:

The subject lies in prone position i.e., face down on his stomach with a pillow under his lower abdomen and his hands behind his neck. The examiner holds his feet down. The subject is asked to raise his chest, head and shoulders, while the examiner counts to 10 seconds. He passes this test if he is able to hold the exact position up to 10 seconds.

Scoring:

This test is graded on a pass-fail basis. The test is passed if the subject holds the position for ten seconds. The Kraus-Weber test comprises 6 exercises - being unable to perform even one of the six exercises results in failing the test overall.

5.          Lower Back Muscle Strength (Test 5 Lower back LB)

This back muscle strength test assesses the strength of the lower back muscles.

Purpose: to assess the strength of the lower back muscles.

Equipment Required: flat surface, pillow, stopwatch, recording sheets.

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.

The subject lies in prone position i.e., face down on his stomach with a pillow under his lower abdomen and his hands behind his neck. The examiner holds his chest down. The subject is asked to raise his feet, keeping his knees straight. The examiner counts to 10 seconds.

Scoring:

This test is graded on a pass-fail basis. The test is passed if the subject holds the position for ten seconds. The Kraus-Weber test comprises 6 exercises - being unable to perform even one of the six exercises results in failing the test overall.

6.          Floor Touch Test (Test 6 Back Hamstring BH)

This test measures the flexibility of the lower back and hamstring muscles, similar to what is measured with the sit and reach test.

 Purpose: To measure the flexibility of the lower back and hamstring muscles. Lower back flexibility is important because tightness in this area is implicated in lumbar lordosis, forward pelvic tilt and lower back pain.

Equipment Required: 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 and test conditions.

Procedure:

The subject stands erect, bare-footed, hands at sides and feet together. The subject then is asked to lean down slowly to touch the floor with their fingertips for 10 seconds. Bouncing and jerking is not allowed. The examiner holds the knees straight in order to prevent any bending.

Scoring:

This test is graded on a pass-fail basis. The test is passed if the subject holds the position correctly for ten seconds. The Kraus-Weber test comprises 6 exercises - being unable to perform even one of the six exercises results in failing the test overall