The Role of Physical Therapy in CrossFit, Part 3: Movement Screening, Mobility, and Functional Assessments

Stability
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One of the greatest advantages of integrating PT into CrossFit is access to advanced movement assessment. Unlike general fitness evaluations, PT screenings focus on biomechanics, motor control, and tissue readiness.

Screening Tools

  • Functional Movement Screen (FMS): A seven-movement test that highlights asymmetries and dysfunctions.
  • Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA): A deeper dive when pain is present, pinpointing movement limitations.
  • Y-Balance Test: Measures stability and balance, often used for lower extremity injury prevention.
  • Strength and endurance benchmarks: PTs can test specific CrossFit-relevant movements (front rack mobility, hip hinge strength, core stability under load).

Key Focus Areas

  1. Mobility: Can the athlete reach the necessary range of motion for overhead lifts or deep squats? Restrictions in thoracic extension or hip flexion can sabotage performance.
  2. Stability: Does the athlete control joints under load, particularly the shoulders, spine, and knees?
  3. Movement quality: Are compensations appearing under fatigue, such as lumbar rounding in deadlifts or shoulder shrugging in pull-ups?
  4. Symmetry: Are both sides of the body contributing equally, or is one side compensating for weakness or stiffness?

Corrective Strategies

  • Thoracic extension drills for better overhead positions.
  • Hip mobility work to improve squat depth.
  • Core stability training to protect the spine.
  • Scapular stabilization for shoulder health.
  • Unilateral training to balance asymmetries.

Case Study

A CrossFit athlete struggling with overhead squats was screened by a PT. The assessment revealed limited ankle dorsiflexion and poor thoracic mobility. With a focused program of ankle mobility drills, foam rolling, and spinal extension exercises, the athlete achieved proper depth and overhead stability within six weeks. This not only improved performance but also prevented compensatory stress on the lumbar spine.

PT assessments transform vague frustrations into actionable solutions. Instead of “I can’t squat deep,” athletes gain clarity: “My ankle mobility is limited, and here’s how to fix it.”
 

Our team at Lifestyle Physical Therapy can help you integrate PT into CrossFit to improve performance through our screening tools and advance movement assessments.
Give us a call to see how we can help!

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