Assessment & Screening — all lessons
Screening
Preparticipation health screeningResting and Body Composition Measures
Resting assessments and anthropometric measurementsFitness Testing
Cardiorespiratory assessmentsMuscular strength, endurance and power assessmentsAthlete assessment and evaluationMovement and Postural Assessment
Postural and functional assessment (Prehab assessment tool)Limits of movement screens and postural assessmentPostural and functional assessment (Prehab assessment tool)
How to perform static postural observation, the overhead squat, single-leg squat and functional screens — and how to interpret findings cautiously and use them for coaching.
Learning objectives
- Perform a structured static postural observation
- Conduct overhead squat, single-leg squat and other functional assessments
- Record observations objectively and reliably
- Interpret findings within the evidence limits on posture, screens and injury
Before this lesson
Why this matters
Assessments give a starting picture of how a client stands and moves. Used well, they guide exercise choices and track progress. Used badly, they label normal variation as dysfunction. This lesson covers both the method and the limits.
Static postural observation
Observe from front, side and back in relaxed standing, ideally against a grid or with a plumb line [kendall2005]:
- Side view — idealised line through ear lobe, shoulder, greater trochanter, slightly anterior to the knee and near the lateral malleolus. Note head position, thoracic curve, lumbar curve, pelvic tilt, knee position.
- Front/back views — symmetry of shoulders, scapulae, pelvis, knees and feet.
Record what you see objectively (e.g., “right shoulder ~1 cm lower than left”).
Functional assessments
| Assessment | What it shows | Views |
|---|---|---|
| Overhead squat | Ankle, hip and thoracic mobility; coordination | Front and side |
| Single-leg squat / step-down | Frontal-plane hip/knee control, balance | Front |
| Hip hinge | Hip vs spine motion | Side |
| Push-up / plank | Trunk and scapular control | Side |
| Single-leg balance | Postural control | Front |
Perform 3–5 repetitions, ideally on video, and note consistent patterns.
Interpretation and evidence
- Posture and pain: systematic reviews show no consensus that spinal posture causes back pain [swain2020].
- Movement screens and injury: a meta-analysis concluded that FMS composite scores do not usefully predict injury [moran2017]. See limits of screening.
So what are these assessments good for? Establishing a baseline, identifying specific capacity gaps relevant to goals (e.g., limited dorsiflexion limiting squat depth), choosing regressions/progressions, and tracking change.
Practical application
Common mistakes and misconceptions
Case study
A new client’s overhead squat shows heels rising and the trunk leaning forward. Knee-to-wall testing reveals limited dorsiflexion on both sides. The trainer programmes ankle mobility and heel-elevated goblet squats; re-test at 8 weeks shows improved depth with heels down.
Further learning: video lessons
Video links are only marked “verified” after a human has watched them. Unverified entries open a YouTube search for that channel and topic rather than a guessed link.
Overhead squat assessment
NASM
You will understand: views, checkpoints and common observations
Why: Widely used protocol demonstration; interpret with the evidence caveats in this lesson.
Single-leg squat assessment
Physiotutors
You will understand: performing and describing the test
Why: Clinical demonstration.
Knowledge check
Knowledge check · 0/5
1. In a plumb-line side view, the line typically passes…
2. A meta-analysis of Functional Movement Screen composite scores found…
3. The best way to record a single-leg squat observation is…
4. Why assess several repetitions?
5. Which statement best reflects current evidence on posture?
Short-answer & application questions
- Write a standardised overhead squat assessment protocol including views and scoring.
- Rewrite three subjective observations (“weak core”, “tight hips”, “bad posture”) as objective descriptions.
- How would you explain the purpose of the assessment to a client to avoid creating fear?
Key takeaways
- Postural and functional assessments describe how someone moves and stands; they do not diagnose.
- Use standard views, multiple repetitions and objective descriptions.
- Static posture correlates weakly with pain; movement screens predict injury poorly.
- Their main value is setting a baseline, guiding exercise selection and tracking change.
Connected topics
Limits of movement screens and postural assessment
corrective exerciseRationale for corrective exercise (and its limits)
corrective exerciseCorrective strategies: inhibitory, lengthening, activation and mobility
anatomySpine and posture
This is the canonical lesson for: Posture & Corrective Exercise → Assessment and Rationale
References
- Kendall FP, McCreary EK, Provance PG, Rodgers MM, Romani WA (2005). Muscles: Testing and Function, with Posture and Pain (5th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Textbook check pending
- Moran RW, Schneiders AG, Mason J, Sullivan SJ (2017). Do Functional Movement Screen (FMS) composite scores predict subsequent injury? A systematic review with meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 51(23):1661–1669. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2016-096938 Meta-analysis check pending
- Swain CTV, Pan F, Owen PJ, Schmidt H, Belavy DL (2020). No consensus on causality of spine postures or physical exposure and low back pain: a systematic review of systematic reviews. Journal of Biomechanics, 102:109312. doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.08.006 Systematic review check pending
Educational content only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis or treatment.