Annual Screening: Stay Strong, Balanced and Independent
Aging brings many changes to our bodies—some subtle, others more noticeable. Muscle mass starts declining as early as 30 years old, a condition known as sarcopenia (Maximize your mobility, Northern Michigan Sports Medicine Center). By 50, joint flexibility in the neck, hips, shoulders, and ankles begins to decrease (Flexibility of Older Adults, PMC). These changes can make everyday tasks like dressing, bending, and reaching more difficult.
By the time adults reach 65, balance deficits become more pronounced, increasing the risk of falls (Older Adult Falls Data, CDC). While these changes are a natural part of aging, they are often compounded by busy lifestyles that make regular exercise and movement difficult. The good news? You don’t have to wait until you notice limitations. A proactive approach can make all the difference.
Why an Annual Screening Matters
Our annual screenings are designed to identify key factors contributing to physical decline—whether it’s muscle weakness, reduced range of motion, poor posture, or balance deficits. By assessing these areas early, we can recommend targeted exercise programs to help you stay active, independent, and doing the things you love.
What our Screening Includes
Our approach is comprehensive and tailored to your needs
- Neck Strength & Flexibility: Assessing postural deficits related to neck mobility.
- Joint Range of Motion: Evaluating movement in major joints to detect stiffness and functional limitations.
- Muscle Strength Testing: Measuring strength in isolated muscle groups as well as functional movements like sit-to-stand, squatting, and getting off the floor.
- Balance Screening: A multifactorial evaluation including:
- Subjective questionnaires to identify personal concerns.
- Assessment of vision, foot sensation (somatosensory system), muscle strength, and vestibular function (inner ear balance system) (Association Ankle Function and Balance, PMC).
- Cognitive screening, as brain function plays a crucial role in reaction time, divided attention, and fall prevention.
Comprehensive Results for You
At the end of the annual screening session, we provide all of our clients with a detailed objective gait analysis chart, comparing their data to age-related normative values. We also present the results of strength, range of motion, and balance screenings relative to their age group. Additionally, we take the time to educate clients on what these results mean and whether any values indicate a need for treatment. This valuable information helps guide the next steps toward maintaining mobility, improving function, and preventing future limitations.
Be Proactive, Not Reactive
Waiting until an injury occurs or mobility declines can make recovery more challenging. By scheduling an annual screening, you can take control of your health and prevent future limitations. Let us help you build strength, stability, and confidence—so you can move through life without restrictions.
Schedule your annual screening today and take the first step toward lifelong mobility and independence