Whithin the framework of a dissertation it was intended - among other
things - to investigate the correlation between the ''Armvorhaltetest'
' according to Matthia ss and the maximal isometric force (MVC) of the
back extensors, the abdominal muscles, the hip flexors and the hip ex
tensors. First of all it could be shown that, at the beginning of the
''Armvorhaltetest'' according to Matthia ss, tall, light people move f
orward their hip in a manner typical for persons with a weak posture.
Apart from the above mentioned result only a weak correlation exists b
etween the ''Armvorhaltetest'' according to Matthia ss and the MVC of
the abdominal muscles. Furthermore the expected correlation between th
e ''Armvorhaltetest'' and the force of the back extensors could not be
established. These findings suggest that the applicability of the ''A
rmvorhaltetest'' according to Matthia ss as a method to diagnose postu
re faults in general or to test the force of the back extensors in par
ticular has to be called into question.