Functional Movement
Definition
Movement patterns that combine multiple joints and muscle groups in coordinated sequences that replicate real-world demands. Squatting, lunging, pushing, pulling, hinging, rotating, and gait are the primary functional movement patterns. Functional movement assessment evaluates the quality of these patterns under bodyweight conditions.
Clinical Significance
Functional movement assessment identifies compensatory strategies that isolated joint testing may miss. A client can have adequate hip ROM in supine testing but demonstrate significant compensations during a squat because the nervous system has learned a protective movement strategy. Functional movement assessment bridges the gap between isolated ROM data and real-world movement quality.
How AKMI Assesses This
AKMI includes functional movement observation (squat, single-leg stance, overhead reach) as a complement to isolated ROM testing. The functional tests validate or challenge the isolated findings -- if isolated ROM is adequate but functional movement is compensated, the issue is motor control or movement strategy rather than tissue restriction.
Get your general assessed
A biomechanical assessment measures functional movement and its relationship to the rest of your structural chain. 18 tests, objective data, personalized programming.