As competition intensifies and athletes push their limits each season, proactive preparation becomes essential - not only for performance, but for long-term health. One of the most effective tools for injury prevention and performance enhancement is the pre-season movement screen. Designed to identify mobility, strength, balance, and coordination deficits, movement screens help athletes enter their season with confidence and a personalized training plan.
Rather than waiting for pain or injury to appear mid-season, screenings help coaches, medical providers, and strength professionals build smarter programs from day one.
What Is a Movement Screen?
A movement screen is a systematic assessment of fundamental movement patterns. Trained clinicians and performance specialists evaluate how an athlete moves during tasks such as squats, lunges, reaches, jumps, and direction changes. The goal is to identify compensations, asymmetries, weaknesses, and mobility restrictions that could increase injury risk or limit performance.
Why Movement Screens Matter for Athletes
Pre-season screenings are not just for elite competitors - they benefit athletes at all levels, from high school to professional. Key advantages include:
Injury Risk Reduction
Many sports injuries stem from underlying movement deficits such as hip instability, poor core control, or reduced ankle mobility. Catching these issues early allows athletes to address vulnerabilities before high-intensity training begins.
Baseline Performance Data
Screens provide an objective starting point. Athletes and coaching teams can track progress throughout the season and adjust training based on real-time data.
Personalized Training Programs
Not all athletes should train the same way. Screens guide individualized warm-ups, strength work, and recovery strategies based on the athlete's unique needs.
Improved Biomechanics and Efficiency
Better movement mechanics translate to smoother, more powerful performance. Screening helps athletes move with control, stability, and precision - key ingredients for speed, agility, and endurance.
Faster Recovery and Longevity
Understanding an athlete’s movement patterns allows providers to support recovery strategies that minimize wear-and-tear and keep athletes in the game longer.
What Happens During a Pre-Season Movement Screen?
While protocols vary by clinic or performance program, screenings typically include:
- Mobility testing for hips, ankles, and thoracic spine
- Strength and stability assessments
- Balance and single-leg control tests
- Coordination and gait observation
- Jump and landing mechanics
- Change-of-direction evaluation
Some advanced facilities also incorporate technology such as force plates or motion capture tools to gather objective metrics on power, asymmetry, and loading strategies.
Who Should Get Screened?
Pre-season movement screens benefit:
- Field and court athletes (soccer, football, basketball, lacrosse)
- Runners, sprinters, and endurance athletes
- Baseball and softball players
- Golfers, tennis players, and rotational athletes
- Youth athletes who are growing quickly
- Recreational athletes returning to activity after time off
If you train intensely, compete regularly, or have a history of injuries, screening provides an invaluable foundation for safety and performance.
When to Schedule Your Screen
Ideally, athletes should schedule movement screens:
- Four to six weeks before pre-season training
- When transitioning between off-season and competitive phases
- After injury or rehab completion
- When beginning a new training program or strength cycle
Early screening allows enough time to correct movement issues and build new habits before competition begins.
Pre-season movement screens are one of the most efficient, proactive tools for maximizing athletic potential. They help identify risk factors before they lead to injury, guide individualized training, and promote stronger, more resilient movement patterns. With expert guidance from a physical therapist or strength specialist, athletes can enter their season prepared, confident, and physically ready to compete at their highest level.
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