What does movement screening assess during the APTA Annual Visit?

Movement screening during the APTA Annual Visit is designed to provide a comprehensive assessment that includes speed, amount, symmetry, control, and symptom alteration during movement. This multifaceted approach helps practitioners evaluate how well a patient can perform specific movements and identifies any dysfunctions or compensations that may be present.

By incorporating these various parameters, movement screening allows for a thorough understanding of an individual's functional capabilities and limitations. For instance, assessing speed can reveal whether a person can perform movements efficiently, while symmetry can indicate potential imbalances that could lead to injury. Additionally, evaluating control during movement helps identify a person's ability to stabilize and coordinate their actions, which is crucial for overall physical performance and safety.

Furthermore, taking symptom alteration into account during movement assessments is vital as it provides insights into how physical activity affects a person's pain or discomfort, guiding subsequent treatment plans. This comprehensive analysis is instrumental in developing tailored interventions focused on improving mobility and functional outcomes for patients.

In contrast, other options focus on narrower aspects, such as overall range of motion or solely assessing force production, which do not provide the holistic understanding needed in movement screening to guide effective health and rehabilitation strategies.