How can you use movement screens to identify dysfunctions?

1 What are movement screens?

Movement screens are a series of tests that evaluate how your clients move through different patterns, such as squatting, lunging, pushing, pulling, rotating, or balancing. They are not meant to diagnose specific injuries or conditions, but rather to reveal any deviations from optimal movement that may indicate underlying dysfunctions. Movement screens can be performed with minimal equipment and in a short time, making them convenient and practical for functional training.

2 Why are movement screens important?

Movement screens are important because they can help you tailor your functional training program to your clients' individual needs and goals. By identifying dysfunctions, you can prioritize the areas that need improvement and avoid exercises that may aggravate them. You can also use movement screens to track your clients' progress and adjust their program accordingly. Movement screens can also help you communicate with your clients and educate them about the importance of movement quality and injury prevention.

3 How to perform movement screens?

There are different types of movement screens that you can use, depending on your preference and experience. Some of the most popular ones are the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), the Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), and the Y Balance Test (YBT). These screens have standardized protocols and scoring systems that allow you to compare your clients' results and identify their strengths and weaknesses. However, you can also use your own movement screens, as long as they are consistent and objective.

4 How to interpret movement screens?

The interpretation of movement screens depends on the type of screen you use and the criteria you set. Generally, you want to look for any signs of pain, asymmetry, compensation, limitation, or poor quality of movement in any of the tests. These signs may indicate dysfunctions that need to be addressed. You can also use the scores or ratings of the screens to classify your clients into different categories, such as high risk, low risk, or optimal, and design your program accordingly.

5 How to address dysfunctions?

Once you identify the dysfunctions in your clients' movement screens, you need to address them with corrective exercises. Corrective exercises are exercises that aim to improve the mobility, stability, and coordination of the dysfunctional areas and restore optimal movement patterns. They can be integrated into your functional training program as warm-ups, cool-downs, or recovery sessions. Corrective exercises should be specific, progressive, and functional, meaning that they should target the root cause of the dysfunction, challenge the client appropriately, and transfer to their daily activities or sports.

6 How to reassess movement screens?

Reassessment is a key component of using movement screens to identify dysfunctions. You need to reassess your clients' movement screens periodically to monitor their changes and evaluate the effectiveness of your corrective exercises. Reassessment can help you celebrate your clients' achievements, motivate them to continue their program, and modify their exercises as needed. You can reassess your clients' movement screens every 4 to 6 weeks, or whenever you notice a significant improvement or regression in their movement quality.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?