Are Injury Screens Worth it? What the Science (and real life) Says
In the world of sports and rehab, athlete injury screens are both popular and controversial. Some question whether they actually predict injuries — and the research is, well… mixed. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t valuable.
At Habits Physical Therapy in Nampa, we use injury screens to support athletes at all levels — not as crystal balls, but as tools for improvement, performance, and smart return to sport.
What Is an Injury Screen?
An injury screen is a series of movement tests designed to assess things like:
Muscle strength and symmetry
Joint mobility
Balance and control
Functional movements specific to sport
These might include jump tests, single-leg strength measures, range of motion assessments, or agility drills — all done in a controlled, measurable way.
Can Injury Screens Predict Injury?
This is where the research gets murky.
Some studies suggest that no single test or number can reliably predict injury risk across a general athlete population. Factors like fatigue, training load, and previous injury history complicate the picture.
So should we toss screens altogether? Not at all.
What Injury Screens Are Good For
Even if we can’t predict every future injury, injury screens offer real, meaningful value in several key ways:
1. Establishing a Baseline
Screens provide objective data on your strength, mobility, balance, and power when you’re healthy. This helps you and your therapist:
Track progress over time
Detect imbalances or changes early
Compare future test results after an injury
2. Identifying Areas to Improve
An injury screen can highlight:
Weakness on one side
Limited range of motion
Poor movement control
These don’t always mean injury is coming — but they’re worth training. Addressing these factors can improve performance and resilience.
3. Supporting Safe Return to Sport
This is where the evidence is stronger. Research supports post-injury screening as a way to:
Detect lingering deficits
Compare to pre-injury baseline or the uninjured side
Guide return-to-sport decisions more safely
✅ A study published in the BJSM showed that athletes with persistent asymmetries after ACL rehab were more likely to reinjure if they returned too early.
What We Look At in an Injury Screen
At Habits Physical Therapy, your injury screen may include:
Quad and hamstring strength testing (with symmetry comparison)
Jump tests (single-leg jump distance, vertical jump)
Y-Balance Test
Mobility screens (e.g., knee to wall, sit and reach)
Agility and reactive movement drills
We tailor the screen based on your sport and goals — whether you’re a high school football player, recreational runner, or competitive pickleball athlete.
When Should You Get Screened?
Preseason or before ramping up training
After an injury to track recovery
Every year to reassess and adjust your program
Final Word: Injury Screens Aren’t Perfect — But Can Still Be Valuable
While no screen can perfectly predict who will get injured, they give us insight, direction, and measurable targets to work from. In our clinic, they’re a key part of building stronger, smarter, and more durable athletes.
Want to Get Screened?
At Habits Physical Therapy in Nampa, we offer individualized athlete screens to help you:
Track your progress
Address weaknesses
Return to sport safely and confidently
📞 Call/text: 406-560-1048
📍 8 6th St N, Suite 102, Nampa, ID 83687
🌐 habitspt.com
📧 habitspt@proton.me