8 Common Movement Patterns Identified Through Functional Movement Analysis

What Is Functional Movement Analysis and Why It Matters

Movement is something we rarely think about until it becomes restricted or painful. Every step, reach, and bend involves a chain of coordinated motions that depend on how well the body’s joints, muscles, and nervous system communicate. Disrupting that chain can make even everyday actions inefficient or uncomfortable.

This is where functional movement analysis comes in. It’s a detailed assessment method used by physiotherapists to study how your body moves during real-world tasks. Instead of focusing on a single muscle or joint in isolation, the evaluation considers the body as a connected system. How it stabilizes, shifts weight, and compensates for weakness or stiffness.

At our facility in Langley, functional movement analysis helps identify subtle movement patterns that may contribute to strain, injury, or reduced Mobility. It allows therapists to see beyond symptoms and recognize how different parts of the body interact during motion.

Why Functional Movement Analysis Is Useful in Physiotherapy

The primary purpose of functional movement analysis is to detect inefficient or restricted patterns that may be affecting performance or daily comfort. It helps determine whether an issue stems from poor Mobility, instability, or muscular imbalance.

For physiotherapists, this assessment is more than observation — it’s a diagnostic framework. By analyzing movement patterns, therapists can build precise treatment strategies that retrain how the body moves. This approach promotes balanced muscle activation, joint alignment, and better coordination.

In a place like Langley, where active lifestyles are the norm, functional movement analysis offers a preventive advantage. It can highlight areas of concern before they become painful or limiting, making it a vital step for both rehabilitation and performance enhancement.

How Functional Movement Analysis Works

During the assessment, the practitioner will ask you to perform a series of controlled movements. At the same time, the physiotherapist observes alignment, stability, and control. These movements test how your body transitions between positions, how your core supports motion, and whether your limbs move symmetrically.

Each pattern provides insight into how well different body regions cooperate. The physiotherapist notes compensations — such as uneven shifts, reduced joint angles, or loss of balance — to identify the root cause of dysfunction. The outcome is a clear picture of your physical mechanics, which becomes the foundation for tailored corrective exercises.

Below are eight key movement patterns commonly reviewed during functional movement analysis, each offering valuable clues about how your body functions.

1. Deep Squat – The Mobility Indicator

The deep squat evaluates how the hips, knees, and ankles move together. A smooth, upright squat indicates solid lower-body Mobility and core control. Difficulty maintaining form — such as rising on the heels or leaning forward — can signal stiffness in the hips or calves, or weak stabilizing muscles around the spine.

By correcting this pattern, physiotherapists help restore even load distribution, improve leg alignment, and enhance functional strength for daily activities.

2. Hurdle Step – The Single-Leg Balance Test

This movement simulates walking or climbing and highlights how well the body maintains balance when supported on one leg. During functional movement analysis, an uneven lift, tilted hips, or inward knee rotation can indicate core instability or weak hip stabilizers.

Training based on these findings can refine coordination, improve gait mechanics, and reduce strain from asymmetrical loading on one side of the body.

3. Inline Lunge – The Alignment Assessment

An inline lunge challenges balance and coordination through a narrow base of support. Any wobble, shift, or torso tilt may reveal tight hip flexors or insufficient trunk control.

Corrective work focuses on improving hip Mobility, core engagement, and postural awareness. This not only benefits athletic movement but also supports functional stability during everyday stepping and lifting.

4. Shoulder Mobility – The Upper Body Connection

Upper-body function depends on smooth interaction between the shoulders, thoracic spine, and rib cage. During functional movement analysis, therapists look at how far each arm reaches behind the back and how evenly both sides move.

Restrictions often stem from chest tightness or thoracic stiffness. Addressing these issues helps restore shoulder rhythm, relieve tension, and prevent discomfort during reaching or lifting tasks.

5. Active Straight Leg Raise – The Flexibility and Control Test

This test examines hamstring flexibility, hip control, and pelvic stability. Suppose one leg lifts while the pelvis tilts or the opposite knee bends. In that case, it may indicate an imbalance between flexibility and control.

Physiotherapists use this data to guide Mobility and core training that promotes balance between the lower and upper body — essential for walking, bending, and maintaining Posture.

6. Trunk Stability Push-Up – The Core Strength Gauge

This pattern tests how well the core maintains alignment under pressure. During functional movement analysis, sagging hips, lifted shoulders, or uneven effort indicate a lack of control.

Improving trunk stability through guided exercises strengthens the body’s foundation, reducing strain on the shoulders and lower back during physical activity or repetitive tasks.

7. Rotary Stability – The Coordination Check

Rotation is a natural part of movement — from twisting to pick up an item to turning during sport. This pattern assesses how well the core, hips, and shoulders coordinate across the body’s midline.

Uneven rotation or shifting indicates a gap in stability or coordination between sides. By retraining the core and improving cross-body control, physiotherapists help enhance movement precision and prevent recurring strain.

8. Step-Down or Landing – The Impact Control Test

The step-down simulates descending or landing and tests how the body absorbs and transfers force. During functional movement analysis, collapsing knees or uneven landings suggest weak gluteal support or poor ankle control.

Refining this pattern enhances shock absorption, improves joint alignment, and supports safer, smoother movement during physical and recreational activities.

The Bigger Picture: How Movement Patterns Shape Everyday Life

These eight patterns reveal how each part of the body contributes to the whole. When one link in the chain is restricted, other areas overcompensate — often leading to tension, fatigue, or injury.

Functional movement analysis helps uncover these links, providing the insight needed to address the source rather than the symptom. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, training for a sport, or simply looking to move more efficiently, this approach forms the foundation of effective physiotherapy care.

In Langley, many individuals use this assessment to stay active and reduce recurring discomfort. It promotes body awareness and supports long-term physical resilience.

How Our Facility in Langley Uses Functional Movement Analysis

At our facility, functional movement analysis is part of every detailed assessment process. The goal is simple: to identify inefficient movement patterns and help you regain balanced, comfortable motion.

The process combines observation, manual therapy, and corrective movement training. Each client receives practical strategies based on how their body moves — not just where it hurts. This integrated approach encourages sustainable improvements in strength, coordination, and Mobility.

If you live in Langley and want to explore how this assessment can help you move more confidently, Physio For Performance provides professional guidance and focused treatment grounded in precise movement evaluation.