Functional Movement Assessment

A Functional Movement Assessment is a structured physiotherapy evaluation that examines how well a person moves through everyday patterns — such as squatting, stepping, reaching, and balancing — to identify weaknesses, stiffness, or imbalances before they lead to pain or injury.

During the assessment, a trained physiotherapist watches you perform a series of controlled movements. They look at how your joints, muscles, and nervous system work together. Poor movement patterns can place extra stress on certain body parts over time. Finding these patterns early gives you — and your healthcare team — the information needed to plan targeted exercise or treatment.

A Functional Movement Assessment is used whenever a clinician needs to understand the quality of a person's movement, not just their strength or flexibility in isolation. It is commonly requested before starting a rehabilitation program, a fitness program, or a demanding physical job.

• Recurring musculoskeletal (muscle and joint) pain with no clear structural cause found on imaging
• Recovery after a sports injury, such as a ligament sprain or muscle tear
• Recovery after orthopaedic surgery, such as knee or hip replacement
• Low back pain or neck pain that affects daily activities
• Shoulder instability or repeated shoulder dislocations
• Balance problems or a history of falls, especially in older adults
• Athletes or workers wanting a baseline movement screen before training begins
• Children or adolescents with developmental coordination difficulties
• Post-stroke rehabilitation to assess how movement has been affected

This assessment is generally suitable for almost everyone, because it is non-invasive (nothing enters the body) and does not use radiation. However, your physiotherapist will modify or skip certain movement tests if you have an acute (sudden and severe) injury that has not yet been stabilised, very severe pain that makes movement impossible, or an open wound near a tested joint.

Because a Functional Movement Assessment is a purely observational and gentle physical evaluation, it carries almost no risk for the vast majority of people. No needles, imaging radiation, or instruments enter the body.

• Temporary muscle soreness or fatigue after performing unfamiliar movement patterns — this usually settles within a day
• Mild discomfort if an existing painful area is moved through its range during testing
• In rare cases, a movement test may provoke a flare-up of a pre-existing condition; your physiotherapist will stop the test immediately if pain increases significantly
• No risk of infection, bleeding, or anaesthesia-related complications, as the assessment does not involve any invasive steps

Almost no special preparation is required, because this is a diagnostic assessment rather than a surgical or invasive procedure. However, a few simple steps will help the session run smoothly and give the physiotherapist an accurate picture of how you normally move.

Wear comfortable, form-fitting clothing — such as sports shorts and a fitted top — so the physiotherapist can clearly see your joints and posture. Avoid very loose or thick clothing that hides your limbs. Wear or bring any supportive footwear you normally use, since the physiotherapist may want to observe you both with and without it. There is no fasting requirement and no need to pause any regular medications before this assessment; take your usual medicines as you normally would. Avoid intense physical exercise on the day of the assessment, as residual muscle fatigue can affect your movement patterns.

Before the assessment begins, you will usually be asked to complete a short questionnaire or interview about your medical history, current symptoms, any previous injuries, and your daily activity level. No laboratory tests or imaging scans are routinely needed beforehand, although your physiotherapist may review any relevant CT, MRI, or X-ray images you already have.

The assessment itself typically follows a sequence similar to this, though the exact steps and number of tests will vary between clinicians and clinics:

• The physiotherapist explains what the assessment involves and answers your questions
• You complete a history form or verbal interview about your symptoms and lifestyle
• The physiotherapist observes your static posture (how you stand at rest) from multiple angles
• You perform a series of standardised movement tests — which may include a deep squat, an in-line lunge (stepping forward with one foot directly in front of the other), a shoulder mobility reach, an active straight-leg raise, a trunk stability push-up, a rotary stability exercise, and balance tasks
• For each movement, the physiotherapist notes whether it is performed with good control, with compensations (using other body parts to help), or with pain
• Some clinicians use a simple scoring system to record results; others write descriptive notes
• The physiotherapist may gently guide or support a limb to distinguish true weakness from pain inhibition (when pain causes a muscle to switch off)
• The session closes with a discussion of findings and, usually, initial recommendations

Because the Functional Movement Assessment is non-invasive, there is no formal medical recovery period. Most people leave the clinic immediately afterward and return to their usual daily activities. The main 'aftercare' is acting on the findings — which is the most important part.

• If you experience mild muscle soreness after unfamiliar movement patterns, gentle movement and rest usually resolve this within a day or two
• Your physiotherapist will typically provide a written or verbal summary of the movement patterns that need attention
• A follow-up appointment is usually scheduled to begin a targeted exercise program based on the assessment findings
• If specific weaknesses or imbalances are found, your physiotherapist may recommend a home exercise program to practise between sessions
• If the assessment reveals a concern that needs further investigation — such as a suspected joint problem — your physiotherapist may refer you to a doctor for imaging such as MRI or X-ray
• Progress is usually re-assessed after a course of treatment to see whether movement quality has improved
• Lifestyle adjustments — such as changes to your workstation setup, the way you lift objects, or your training load — may be recommended based on what was observed
• Keep any printed results or assessment reports, as they are useful for future healthcare providers or if you choose to continue treatment at a different facility