Gray Cook: Dysfunction Red Flags

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We systematically go through the body, and the movement screen isn’t the only thing we do. We also pull out dysfunction red flags. We have intake forms and histories we take with almost everybody we work with.

Is there a red flag in the history? Is there a red flag in the movement screen?

If you come to me and I’m being Gray Cook, Physical Therapist for the day, I’m still looking for red flags that would keep you from optimizing your recovery. The first order of business is playing defense—not offense. Is the person bringing a red flag into my program?

I’m not talking weakness and tightness. I’m saying this weakness and tightness stacks up so badly, it causes core dysfunction or a single-leg stance problem. We’re not going to systematically go through the body and look for every bit of weakness and tightness because we all have those.

If you can still lunge, squat, turn and balance on one leg, plank into a pushup and do some rotary stability, that little bit of weakness and tightness you think is a big problem is above the cut.

However, where a mobility and a stability problem intersect so much that they destroy a natural movement pattern you should have had since you were about three, I’m going to call that dysfunction.

We have to draw a line.

More of Gray’s thoughts on training and screening can be found in his Lecture Compendium Audio Book:

More from this lecture, The Future of Exercise Program Design

Gray Cook

Gray Cook is a physical therapist, author, lecturer and strength coach. He, along with his partners at Functional Movement Systems, is the developer of the Functional Movement Screen and the Selective Functional Movement Assessment. Gray consults with professional and university coaches and athletes, and teaches on various aspects of physical therapy, sports medicine and performance enhancement.

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Gray Cook: Dysfunction Red Flags

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