The Tri-Planar Extension Activity (T-PEA)
T-PEA considerations:
o Assesses the ability to maintain positional control of the trunk while the alternating legs extend and alternating arms flex overhead.
o Can ventilatory mechanics and respiratory position be maintained during an activity which will challenge that mechanism.
o Assesses mid- to upper thoracic frontal plane control with appendicular movements which bring the trunk towards extension.
o Stages 3 & 4 in each Phase is a corrective activity, helps assess for control of multiple planes of motion, and is challenging to maintain position.
T-PEA application:
o Phase 1 is on elbows and knees, Phase 2 is on elbows and toes, Phases 3 & 4 are on hands and toes.
o Feet vertical with each Phase up on toes with equal weight on each leg.
o Encouraging pushing straight up through elbows or arms on the ground in Stages 3 & 4 in each Phase is critical.
o Stages 3 & 4 in Phases 3 & 4 should have as little lateral shift of weight as possible to lift opposite arm and leg.
·Phase 1: Forearms and knees, forearms at 90 degrees, humerus vertical, knees bent 90 degrees—best to set-up in plank position on forearms and toes with vertical humerus and heels, bend knees to the ground, press straight up through forearms and elbows:
Stage 1: Lift and lower bent leg while exhaling without losing position, alternate
Stage 2: Lift and lower bent leg to the plane of the body while exhaling without losing position, alternate
Stage 3: Lift bent leg while exhaling without losing position and hold for 2-3 full breaths
Stage 4: Lift bent leg to the plane of the body while exhaling without losing position and hold for 2-3 fuller breaths
Phase 2: Forearms and toes, forearms at 90 degrees, humerus and heels vertical, press straight up through forearms and elbows:
Stage 1: Lift and lower straight leg to the plane of the body while exhaling without losing position, alternate
Stage 2: Lift and lower bent leg to the plane of the body while exhaling without losing position, alternate
Stage 3: Lift straight leg to the plane of the body while exhaling without losing position and hold for 2-3 fuller breaths, alternate
Stage 4: Lift bent leg to the plane of the body without losing position and hold for 2-3 full breaths, alternate
The following video discusses and demonstrates the mechanics of the first Phases:
Phase 3: Hands and toes, nose at the level of the fingers, push-up position, heels vertical, press straight up through arms:
Stage 1: Lift and lower one straight leg without losing position, alternate
Stage 2: Lift one arm up at an angle with as limited lateral shift as possible, then lower, without losing position, alternate
Stage 3: Lift one leg towards the plane of the body, without losing position, and hold for 2-3 breaths, alternate
Stage 4: Being able to lift one arm at an angle towards the plane of the body, with as limited lateral shift as possible, without losing position, and hold for 2-3 fuller breaths, alternate
Phase 4: Hands and toes, nose at the level of the fingers, push-up position, heels vertical, press straight up through arms:
Stage 1: Lift and lower one bent leg while exhaling without losing position, alternate
Stage 2: Lift one bent leg towards the plane of the body while exhaling, and lower, without losing position, alternate
Stage 3: Lift one hand at an angle and opposite bent leg while exhaling, with as limited lateral shift as possible, without losing position, alternate
Stage 4: Lift one hand at an angle and opposite bent leg, with as limited lateral shift as possible, and hold for 2-3 fuller breaths without losing position, alternate
The following video reviews the mechanics of the next Phases of this assessment:
