Final answer:
The most likely cause of poor mobility in an active straight leg raise assessment is weak hip flexors, which are directly involved in lifting the leg.
Step-by-step explanation:
The poor mobility in the active straight leg raise assessment could be due to a variety of factors affecting the kinetic chain. Among the options provided:
- B) Weak hip flexors – The hip flexors are directly involved in lifting the leg during an active straight leg raise. If these muscles are weak, lifting the leg efficiently becomes difficult.
- A) Overactive hamstrings – While overactive hamstrings can affect movement patterns, they are typically more involved in limiting knee extension rather than hip flexion.
- C) Limited ankle mobility – Ankle mobility can affect gait and various movements, but it is less likely to be the primary cause of poor performance in an active straight leg raise, which focuses more on hip and core stability.
- D) Tight quadriceps – Tight quadriceps might have an indirect effect, as they can alter pelvic tilt, but they are not the primary muscles responsible for leg raising.
Therefore, the most likely cause of poor mobility in this assessment is weak hip flexors, as their strength and function are crucial for the leg-lifting movement that is being tested.