If you live an active lifestyle, your body is constantly under load. Whether you train in the gym, run regularly, or stay active through sport, your muscles and joints are working together to manage movement, stability, and control.
But here’s the key point: feeling fine does not always mean moving well. Many people develop small movement issues over time. These can include reduced mobility, muscle imbalances, or poor movement patterns. Left unchecked, these often lead to pain or injury. This is where a movement screening (FMS Test) becomes valuable.
What Is a Movement Screen Test?
A movement screen test is a structured assessment used by physiotherapists to evaluate how your body moves. Rather than focusing only on pain, it looks at your overall movement quality, including:
- Mobility and range of motion
- Stability and joint control
- Muscle imbalances
- Movement compensations
- Coordination and motor control
The goal is simple: identify hidden issues before they become injuries.
Do You Really Need a Movement Screen?
A movement screen is not something you must do, but it can be highly beneficial, especially if you are active or have recurring discomfort. You may benefit from a movement screen if:
- You train regularly but feel tight or restricted
- You’ve had recurring injuries (knee, shoulder, back)
- You sit for long hours and experience stiffness
- You want to improve performance and reduce injury risk
Even without pain, underlying movement dysfunctions can affect how your body handles load. Early assessment helps you stay ahead of these problems.
FMS vs SFMA: What’s the Difference?
Movement screening is commonly performed using two systems: FMS (Functional Movement Screen) and SFMA (Selective Functional Movement Assessment).
The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is used when you are not in pain. It focuses on identifying limitations in mobility and stability through a series of controlled movements. The aim is to detect weaknesses, asymmetries, and poor movement patterns that may increase injury risk.
The Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) is used when pain is present. It takes a more clinical approach by breaking down painful movements to identify the underlying cause. This helps guide diagnosis and treatment. In simple terms:
- FMS → prevention and performance
- SFMA → diagnosis and rehabilitation
What Happens During a Movement Screen?
During a functional movement screen, you will be guided through a series of movements that assess your strength, control, and coordination.
These movements typically include patterns such as squatting, lunging, and balance-based tasks. Each movement is observed and scored based on how well you perform it. This process helps identify:
- Movement limitations
- Stability issues
- Areas of weakness
- Potential injury risks
After the assessment, your physiotherapist provides a clear plan to improve your movement and reduce strain on your body.
Why Movement Screening Matters
Most injuries do not happen suddenly. They build over time due to repeated stress and poor movement patterns. A movement screen helps:
- Detect issues early
- Improve movement efficiency
- Movement screening helps predict injuries and reduce risk
- Support better performance
- Guide targeted rehabilitation
Instead of reacting to pain, it allows you to take a proactive approach to your health.
Should You Get a Movement Screen?
If your goal is to stay active, train consistently, and avoid setbacks, a movement screen is a valuable starting point.
It gives you a clear understanding of how your body moves and what needs improvement. More importantly, it helps you address small issues before they turn into bigger problems.
Movement Screening at Bondi Junction
For active individuals in Sydney, movement screening is an important part of both performance and injury prevention.
At Invigor Health Bondi Junction, movement screens are used to assess biomechanics, identify imbalances, and guide personalised rehabilitation strategies. Whether you are an athlete, runner, or gym-goer, the focus is on improving how your body moves so you can perform better and stay injury-free.
Book your movement screen at Invigor Health today and take the first step towards better movement, performance, and long-term health.
