Preseason screening helps identify athletes at risk for musculoskeletal injuries through which components?

• A. Cardiovascular endurance test
• B. Mental health screening
• C. Functional movement screening and musculoskeletal strength and flexibility assessments
• D. No screening

Answer: (C)

Preseason screening identifies musculoskeletal injury risk by examining how the body moves and how well it can tolerate and control loads. Functional movement screening looks at fundamental movement patterns to spot compensations, asymmetries, and mobility/stability limitations that often precede injuries when athletes are stressed by training or competition. For example, observing how smoothly someone can squat, step, or rotate reveals areas where the body may rely on unsafe movement strategies under load.

Coupled with musculoskeletal strength and flexibility assessments, you get a clear picture of both capacity and potential weaknesses. Strength deficits in key muscles or imbalances between sides, along with restricted range of motion in joints, can increase the likelihood of strains, sprains, or tendon issues. When these elements are identified preseason, coaches and trainers can tailor conditioning, mobility work, and progression plans to address the specific risk factors before they contribute to injury.

Choices focusing on cardiovascular endurance or mental health, while important for overall performance and well-being, do not directly pinpoint the mechanical or tissue-related risk factors that preseason screening is designed to detect. And choosing no screening would miss actionable insights that can guide injury-prevention programming.