From Guesswork to Game Plan: The Benefits of Movement Testing

Before starting a new training program, returning from an injury, or even just wanting to move and feel better, one of your first questions should be: where am I starting from? Movement testing helps you identify your body’s current capabilities, imbalances, and limitations—turning guesswork into a personalized plan for real progress.

Enter movement screening and performance testing. Think of them as a “health check-up” for how your body moves – highlighting strengths, spotting areas that need attention, and giving you a clear roadmap forward.

And the best part? It’s not just for elite athletes. Whether you’re a weekend warrior, chasing fitness goals or just want to get out of pain and feel better day to day, it can help get you there.

What Is Movement Screening and Performance Testing?

Movement screening looks at how you perform everyday patterns like squats, lunges, or jumps. It gives us a sense of your mobility, stability, coordination, and balance.

Performance testing takes things a step further by adding data. At Joint Space we use VALD technology – the same world-class systems trusted by elite sports teams – to measure things like:

• How much force each side of your body produces.
• How evenly you land when jumping.
• How quickly you can generate strength and power.
• Your balance and reaction under load.

Instead of guessing, we get clear, objective insights about how your body is moving, and takes the guesswork out of training and rehab.

What Are the Benefits?

Performance testing isn’t about chasing numbers – it’s about making smarter decisions. Here’s what it can do for you:

• Uncover hidden weaknesses – asymmetries, muscle imbalances, or control issues that you may not feel yet, but that increase your risk of injury.
• Guide your rehab or training – the results help us shape a program tailored to your needs, whether that’s recovering from an ACL injury, improving sprint speed, or simply moving without pain.
• Track progress – testing allows you to see real, measurable improvements. Watching your numbers improve is both motivating and reassuring.
• Stay on track by making sure what you’re doing is actually working. After all, what gets measured, gets improved.

Who Is It For?

A common misconception is that this type of testing is only for professional athletes. In reality, everyone can benefit. It can help:

• Athletes at all ages and levels boost their performance or safely return to play.
• Active adults improve gym performance, avoid overuse injuries, or check movement quality.
• Rehab clients track progress post-surgery or injury, and know when it’s safe to progress.
• Anyone who simply wants to move more comfortably and confidently in daily life.

If you move (and we all do), testing has something to offer.

The Bottom Line

At Joint Space we believe you don’t have to be an elite athlete to benefit from elite-level insights. Performance testing and movement screening is for everyone. And it can help give you clarity, direction, and confidence in your training or rehab journey. Whether you want to get back on the pitch, run without knee pain, or simply feel stronger day to day — it starts with knowing where you are, and where you can go next.