Which statement is considered a benefit of the Functional Movement Screen?

• A. Shows precise body fat and lean body mass measurements
• B. Shows potential dangers of injuries
• C. Shows left and right body imbalances
• D. Shows muscle weaknesses

Answer: (C)

The main idea behind the Functional Movement Screen is to evaluate how a person moves as a whole and, importantly, to spot differences between the left and right sides. When one side doesn’t move in the same way or to the same extent as the other, it reveals bilateral imbalances. These imbalances often reflect compensations, which can increase the risk of injury if not addressed. By identifying these asymmetries, practitioners can design targeted corrective exercises to restore symmetry and improve movement quality.

This tool isn’t about measuring body fat or lean mass, so it doesn’t provide body composition data. While movement asymmetries relate to injury risk, the screen specifically highlights imbalances and movement limitations rather than predicting danger by itself. And although weaknesses can contribute to imbalanced movement, the screen focuses on movement patterns and symmetry rather than isolating specific muscle strength.