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Dynamic Movement &
Balance Assessments

Every step you take, every turn, every reach—your body is constantly managing balance, stability, and coordination. Whether you’re recovering from injury, looking to stay active as you age, or trying to perform better in your sport, dynamic movement and balance assessments by a physical therapist are essential tools to help you move better, safer, and with confidence.

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Dynamic movement and balance assessments evaluate how your body performs during real-life activities—not just when you're sitting or lying still. Physical therapists observe and analyze how you move through various functional tasks, such as:

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  • Walking and changing direction

  • Stepping over obstacles

  • Squatting, lunging, or reaching

  • Transferring from one surface to another

  • Balancing on one leg

  • Responding to external challenges or multitasking                                                                                                                                       (dual-task balance)

These assessments are not just about measuring strength or flexibility—they provide a deeper look at how your brain, muscles, joints, and nervous system work together to support safe and efficient movement. Benefits of these types of assessments include:

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1. Fall Risk Identification

For older adults, balance testing helps identify subtle deficits that may increase fall risk long before an actual fall occurs. This allows for early intervention and fall prevention strategies.

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2. Injury Prevention

Many injuries—especially in athletes or active individuals—stem from poor movement patterns, instability, or asymmetries. Dynamic testing allows therapists to pinpoint these issues and correct them before they lead to breakdown.

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3. Post-Injury or Post-Surgical Rehabilitation

Following surgery, injury, or neurological events (like stroke), movement and balance assessments help determine readiness for safe mobility, return to activity, and progress in rehab.

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4. Functional Performance

Assessments give insight into how physical limitations affect daily life, work, or sport-specific tasks. This helps tailor treatment to restore functional independence or improve athletic performance.

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During a dynamic movement or balance assessment, physical therapists evaluate:

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  • Postural control and body awareness

  • Symmetry and weight shifting

  • Joint alignment during movement

  • Compensatory patterns or weaknesses

  • Reaction time and adaptability

  • Gait mechanics (how you walk)

  • Dual-task performance (e.g., walking while talking)

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They may use standardized tools like the Berg Balance Scale, Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), Timed Up and Go (TUG), or Dynamic Gait Index (DGI)—along with hands-on observation—to build a complete picture of your movement health.

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