Movement Screening: Identify Your Weak Links

What Is Movement Screening?

Assessment of basic movement patterns to identify:

Simple Self-Screens

Deep Squat Test

How: Squat as deep as possible, arms overhead

Look for: Heels rising, knees caving, back rounding, can't get deep

If limited: Work on ankle mobility, hip mobility, thoracic extension

Single Leg Balance

How: Stand on one leg, eyes open, then closed

Look for: Can you hold 30 seconds? Is one side worse?

If limited: Work on balance, hip stability

Shoulder Mobility

How: Reach one hand over shoulder, other behind back. Can they touch?

Look for: Big difference between sides?

If limited: Work on shoulder mobility, lat flexibility

Trunk Rotation

How: Sit and rotate each direction

Look for: Significant difference between sides?

If limited: Work on thoracic mobility

Hip Hinge

How: Can you hip hinge with flat back?

Look for: Back rounding, inability to push hips back

If limited: Work on hip hinge pattern, hamstring mobility

What to Do with Results

1. Identify limitations — What's restricted?

2. Address mobility first — Can't strengthen what you can't reach

3. Build stability — Control the new range

4. Practice the pattern — Integrate into movement

5. Retest — Track improvement

The Bottom Line

Movement screening:

1. Identifies weak links — Where to focus

2. Simple tests work — Don't overcomplicate

3. Guides training — Address what matters

4. Should be repeated — Track changes

Foundational Rehab uses movement assessment to guide programs.