Building Independence Through Movement Competency
Move to Live: Building Independence Through Movement Competency
Movement is medicine — but mastery is freedom. At Rehab 2 Perform, we believe that long-term health and independence begin with how well you move. Dr. Josh Funk’s recent workshop, Move to Live: Building Independence Through Movement Competency, explored why developing fundamental movement skills is essential for not just athletic performance, but for living a capable, confident, and independent life.
What Is Movement Competency?
Movement competency — or movement literacy — is the ability to move with competence and confidence across a wide variety of physical activities. It’s the foundation of everything we do, from walking the stairs and getting up off the floor to carrying groceries or playing with your kids.
When you think of movement as a language, patterns like squatting, hinging, and balancing become the building blocks. Mastering these patterns doesn’t just help you in the gym — it helps you preserve your independence and quality of life as you age.
Healthspan vs. Lifespan
It’s not just about how long you live — it’s about how well you move throughout those years. Studies show that maintaining mobility, balance, and muscle strength directly impacts your healthspan, or the number of years you can live independently without assistance.
Simple assessments like the Sit and Rise Test can predict long-term outcomes and highlight areas to improve. The ability to move from the floor without using your hands reflects strength, stability, and coordination — all key factors in preventing falls, fear, and functional decline.
The “Big Rock” Movements
Dr. Funk emphasized several key movement patterns that serve as both assessments and training tools:
- Ground to Stand: Your ability to move to and from the floor.
- Single Leg Sit-to-Stand: A test of balance, control, and lower body strength.
- Stair Ascension Without Hands: A marker of power, stability, and confidence in movement.
These movements aren’t about performance metrics — they’re about maintaining freedom of movement for life.
Movement Is a Lifelong Skill
Whether you’re an athlete, parent, or retiree, building movement competency helps you stay active, capable, and ready for life’s demands. At Rehab 2 Perform, we help people move better so they can live better.
Struggling with these moves, or pain with the basics? Let’s get you in for a Free Movement Assessment – Schedule Here
About Rehab 2 Perform
Rehab 2 Perform is a leading physical therapy and sports rehabilitation company dedicated to helping clients achieve optimal performance in their daily lives, whether they are athletes, weekend warriors, or individuals recovering from injury. With a team of highly skilled professionals across 11 state-of-the-art locations (soon to be 12), Rehab 2 Perform offers a personalized, evidence-based approach that emphasizes active rehabilitation and functional fitness. Find a Location near you, or Schedule Here.