Functional Movement Assessment

A functional movement assessment is a structured look at how your body moves through the patterns that underpin daily life and sport - squatting, hinging, lunging, reaching, rotating, balancing, and controlling movement under load. Rather than focusing on a single sore spot, it examines how your joints, muscles, and control work together as a system. At Goji Physio in Lentor, Singapore, the result is a clear picture of your movement strengths, limitations, and imbalances, and a practical plan to address them.

Who is a movement assessment for?

A functional movement assessment can help:

• Active people who want to train smarter and reduce injury risk
• Those with recurring niggles that no single diagnosis fully explains
• Desk-based workers with recurring neck, shoulder, or back aches and stiffness
• People returning to exercise after a break, injury, or pregnancy
• Athletes wanting to understand movement limitations affecting performance
• Anyone who simply wants to move and feel better in daily life

You do not need to be in pain or injured to benefit - the assessment is just as useful as a proactive step.

What does the assessment involve?

Your physiotherapist will discuss your activity, history, and goals, then guide you through a series of movements and tests, which may include:

• Fundamental movement patterns: squat, hinge, lunge, push, pull, and rotation
• Mobility and flexibility: joint range at the ankles, hips, spine, and shoulders
• Strength and control: how well you stabilise and control movement, including single-leg tasks and balance
• Task-specific movements: patterns relevant to your sport, work, or daily demands

You will leave with an explanation of what the assessment found and a targeted programme of mobility, strength, and control work suited to your priorities.

What happens after the assessment?

The findings translate into a practical plan - typically a set of prioritised exercises addressing the limitations most relevant to your goals. Your physiotherapist can progress the programme over time and re-assess to track how your movement is changing.

How is this different from a general gym assessment?

A functional movement assessment is led by a physiotherapist with clinical training in how the body moves and why problems develop. It is particularly useful when recurring symptoms, past injuries, or specific limitations are part of the picture, and it can complement work you are already doing with a coach or trainer.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be injured to have a movement assessment?

No. Many people use a movement assessment proactively - to train more effectively, reduce injury risk, or understand a recurring niggle before it becomes a bigger problem.

Will I get specific exercises to take away?

Yes. The assessment is designed to produce a practical, prioritised set of exercises tailored to what it finds, not a generic routine.

Can it help my sport performance?

It can highlight mobility, strength, or control limitations that may be affecting how you move and perform. Addressing these can support both performance and resilience, alongside your regular training.

How long does the assessment take?

It is typically a focused session that allows time to move through the relevant tests, discuss the findings, and start you on a plan. Your physiotherapist will let you know what to expect when you book.

Should I do anything to prepare?

Wear comfortable clothing you can move in. Otherwise, simply come ready to move through a range of everyday and sport-relevant patterns.