Which statement best describes the purpose of the Functional Movement Screen?

• A. To identify left-right muscular balances and weaknesses in movement patterns
• B. To measure sprint speed
• C. To assess dietary mineral intake
• D. To evaluate flexibility

Answer: (A)

The Functional Movement Screen focuses on movement quality in foundational patterns and how the body performs them, looking for asymmetries and weaknesses that could signal injury risk. By observing patterns like squats, lunges, and mobility tests, it highlights left-right imbalances and areas where control is lacking, guiding targeted corrective exercises before increasing training demands. This purpose is distinct from measuring sprint speed, assessing what someone eats, or giving a general flexibility score, so identifying left-right muscular balances and weaknesses in movement patterns is the best description of what the screen aims to do.