Why Every Young Athlete Needs a Movement Screen Before Their Season
Research shows that athletes with movement asymmetries are up to 2.5 times more likely to suffer a lower extremity injury during their season. Yet the vast majority of young athletes start their seasons without any functional movement assessment. A pre-season movement screen takes 15-20 minutes and can identify injury risk factors before they become injuries. For parents investing thousands in club fees, travel, and gear — this is the highest-ROI decision you can make for your athlete.
At Helix Sports Medicine, movement screens are a cornerstone of our youth athlete program. Here’s why every young athlete needs one before their season starts.
Key Takeaways:
- Athletes with movement deficits are 2-2.5x more likely to get injured during their season
- A movement screen takes 15-20 minutes and identifies problems before they cause pain
- Common findings include hip mobility restrictions, core instability, and ankle stiffness — all correctable with targeted work
- Pre-season screening is standard practice at the collegiate and professional level — youth athletes deserve the same
- Corrective exercises based on screen results can reduce injury risk by up to 50%
What Is a Movement Screen?
A movement screen is a systematic assessment of how an athlete moves through fundamental patterns — squatting, lunging, reaching, rotating, and balancing. It’s not a medical exam and it’s not a fitness test. It’s a snapshot of movement quality that reveals compensations, asymmetries, and restrictions that increase injury risk.
The most commonly used tool is the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), which scores athletes on seven movement patterns. Other assessments include the Y-Balance Test, overhead squat assessment, and sport-specific screens for baseball, soccer, basketball, and football.
What a Movement Screen Tests
| Movement Pattern | What It Reveals | Injury Risk If Deficient |
|---|---|---|
| Deep Squat | Ankle, hip, and thoracic mobility | Knee injuries, back pain |
| Hurdle Step | Single-leg stability and hip mobility | ACL, ankle sprains |
| In-Line Lunge | Hip flexor length, balance, ankle stability | Quad strains, knee pain |
| Shoulder Mobility | Shoulder ROM and scapular function | Shoulder impingement, rotator cuff |
| Active Straight Leg Raise | Hamstring flexibility, core stability | Hamstring strains, low back pain |
| Trunk Stability Push-Up | Core strength and stability | Low back injuries |
| Rotary Stability | Multi-plane trunk control | Trunk and hip injuries |
Why Youth Athletes Need a Movement Screen
Growing Bodies Create Movement Deficits
Youth athletes are literally changing shape. During growth spurts, bones grow faster than muscles and tendons, creating temporary tightness and movement restrictions. A 13-year-old who moved beautifully at 11 may now have significant hip and ankle restrictions simply because their body is growing. A movement screen catches these changes before they lead to injury.
Specialization Creates Imbalances
Athletes who play a single sport develop predictable movement patterns and muscle imbalances. Baseball players typically show significant rotational asymmetries. Soccer players often have tight hip flexors and weak gluteals. Swimmers frequently demonstrate poor thoracic mobility. A movement screen identifies these sport-specific imbalances so they can be addressed proactively.
The Research Is Clear
A 2014 study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that athletes scoring 14 or below on the FMS (out of 21) were significantly more likely to sustain a time-loss injury. Similar findings have been replicated across multiple sports and age groups. The evidence supports using movement screening as a predictive tool for injury risk in young athletes.
Research published in the North American Journal of Sports Physical Therapy demonstrated that targeted corrective exercise programs based on FMS results reduced injury rates by up to 50% in athletic populations. The screen isn’t just diagnostic — it drives actionable interventions.
What Happens During a Movement Screen at Helix
At Helix Sports Medicine, our movement screen process is straightforward and athlete-friendly:
- Intake conversation — Sport history, injury history, current training load, goals
- Movement assessment — 7-10 fundamental movement patterns scored and documented
- Sport-specific tests — Depending on the athlete’s sport, additional tests for throwing mechanics, landing patterns, or rotational power
- Results review — We walk you and your athlete through every finding in plain language
- Corrective exercise plan — Targeted exercises to address identified deficits, typically 4-6 exercises that take 10-15 minutes daily
The entire process takes about 30-45 minutes. Our clinicians don’t just hand you a score — they explain what it means and exactly what to do about it. That’s the one-on-one, expert approach that defines Helix.
When to Get a Movement Screen
- Pre-season (2-4 weeks before competition starts) — Enough time to address findings before games begin
- After a growth spurt — When your athlete suddenly feels “awkward” or clumsy
- Return from injury — Before full return to sport to ensure movement quality has been restored
- Annually — Youth athletes change rapidly; yearly screens track development and catch new issues
- When switching sports — Different sports demand different movement capabilities
Common Movement Screen Findings in Youth Athletes
| Finding | Prevalence | Associated Injuries | Corrective Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limited ankle dorsiflexion | Very common | Knee valgus, ACL risk | Ankle mobility drills |
| Hip flexor tightness | Very common | Low back pain, hip impingement | Hip flexor stretching, glute activation |
| Poor single-leg balance | Common | Ankle sprains, ACL injuries | Balance and proprioception training |
| Thoracic spine stiffness | Common in overhead athletes | Shoulder injuries, elbow stress | Thoracic rotation mobility |
| Core instability | Common | Low back pain, decreased power | Anti-rotation and stability exercises |
The Pro Athlete Standard — Available to Your Kid
Every professional and collegiate athletic program uses movement screening as a standard part of their pre-season protocol. NFL Combine participants go through extensive movement and medical assessments. MLB organizations screen every prospect. NCAA programs assess their athletes before every season.
At Helix Sports Medicine, we believe youth athletes deserve the same standard of care. Our clinicians have worked at the professional level — they bring that expertise to every young athlete who walks through our doors. A movement screen gives your child the same advantage that a Division I or professional athlete gets, identifying and addressing problems before they become injuries.
The Bottom Line
A movement screen is one of the simplest, most effective steps you can take to protect your young athlete. It identifies risk factors while they’re still correctable, provides a roadmap for targeted training, and gives you peace of mind heading into a demanding season.
Don’t wait for an injury to find out there was a problem. Be proactive.
Book a pre-season movement screen at Helix Sports Medicine →
FAQ
Q: How much does a movement screen cost?
A: Movement screen costs vary by provider and scope. At Helix Sports Medicine, our assessments are part of our comprehensive approach to youth athlete care. Contact us for current pricing — it’s a fraction of what a single ER visit or MRI costs.
Q: Can my child’s pediatrician do a movement screen?
A: Standard sports physicals check for medical clearance (heart conditions, vision, etc.) but do not assess movement quality. A movement screen requires specific training in functional assessment and should be performed by a sports physical therapist, athletic trainer, or sports medicine professional.
Q: My child doesn’t have any pain. Do they still need a movement screen?
A: Absolutely. The entire point of a movement screen is to identify risk factors before pain develops. Many movement deficits are completely painless until they cause an injury. Think of it like a dental checkup — you don’t wait for a toothache to see the dentist.
Q: How often should my young athlete get a movement screen?
A: We recommend at least annually, and ideally before each sport season. Youth athletes change rapidly — a screen from six months ago may not reflect their current movement capabilities, especially if they’ve gone through a growth spurt.