There is a specific testing protocol performed by our Exercise Physiologist to assess your child’s movement patterns. This assessment is performed to educate your teen on their current movement and to learn of any areas in their body that are not moving as well as they could. Your child might experience tightness in a certain muscle or joint, they may experience back pain, knee pain, they keep having the same recurring ankle injuries. Our Ex Phys can breakdown their movement to see why your child is, for example, constantly tight in their Hamstrings, are the muscles just tight? Or is it due to poor stability and their body isn’t letting them go into those positions. Our Ex Phys can find out why your child’s back is always sore. Is it due to core weakness, or perhaps there is a difference side to side in their hip strength?
I hear from parents all the time, if only these assessments were around when they were growing up; and I certainly agree with them. I would have loved to have known that I was hypermobile, I could have prevented the back pain I was experiencing as my body was growing and playing many different sports. At that time an Ex Phys could have taught me about my body, what hypermobility is, what it means for my sport, and I would have learned what stabilising muscles around my spine to strengthen and how to do it properly.
I would have loved to have known that my right hip was weaker than my left, I could have prevented numerous ankle injuries when playing netball. At the time, an Ex Phys could have taught me how to stand, walk, run optimally, I could have learned that ankle strength is due to hip stability and strength. I could have learned how to squat and lunge correctly.
I would have loved to have known that I wasn’t activating my glutes properly and my quads were weak, I could have prevented knee injuries from when I was running long distances. It would have been so empowering to learn what to focus on in the gym or what to activate prior to a run.
Not only will your child prevent injuries from occurring in the short and long term, but by optimising their movement patterns and any underlying poor strength, stability or range of motion, they will move more efficiently. Their body will allow them to move faster, create more power, run and change direction with greater speed; their performance will benefit tenfold.
Book your teen in for a movement assessment with our Exercise Physiologist today. Movement assessments are recommended for all ages, with previous injury history or no injury history. Help your child learn about how their body likes to move and most importantly how to optimise it. 
