MAPS MOVEMENT TESTING
At Physio Care Owen Sound, we’re proud to offer MAPS Movement Testing — a cutting-edge testing method that provides a detailed, objective understanding of how your body moves. MAPS stands for Mobility, Agility/Balance, Posture, and Strength, and each of these elements is essential to optimal physical function.
Using advanced technology, from VALD health, we capture precise data on your movement and physical performance, compare your results to age- and gender-matched normative benchmarks, and track changes over time. This allows us to identify potential issues early, guide personalized treatment plans, and monitor your progress with clarity and confidence.
What we Measure:
We assess key aspects of your physical function:
- Mobility: Joint range of motion and flexibility.
- Agility & Balance: Stability, coordination, and balance control.
- Posture: Alignment and movement quality
Strength: Quantitative muscle force output
To do this, we pair clinical expertise with 3D infrared motion capture technology and digital dynamometry — tools that give us highly accurate, objective data rather than subjective estimates.
Why Objective Data Matters
Traditional assessments often rely on clinician observation or manual testing scales, which can vary between practitioners. With MAPS testing:
- Strength is measured in precise numerical values (e.g., newtons), not only grades.
- Movement patterns and posture are captured in three dimensions for detailed analysis.
Results are consistent and repeatable, reducing observer variability.
Understanding Normative Data
Your results are matched against a database of expected norms for people your age and sex. This tells us where you are:
- At or above expected levels — you’re doing well!
- Below expected levels — areas for improvement
Significant deviations — may indicate dysfunction or risk
This comparison helps guide targeted interventions and provides a benchmark to monitor changes over time.
What are the benefits of tracking MAPS testing results longitudinally over time?
Monitoring MAPS testing longitudinally over time allows us to see how your body is truly changing, not just how it performs on a single day. By repeating MAPS assessments at set intervals, we can:
- Objectively track progress or decline in mobility, agility/balance, posture, and strength using measurable data rather than subjective impressions.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of treatment or training, confirming whether interventions are producing meaningful, measurable improvements.
- Detect early signs of regression or emerging risk before symptoms worsen or injury occurs.
- Adjust rehabilitation or exercise programs in a timely, data-driven way to better match your current capabilities and goals.
Support long-term health planning, particularly for individuals with chronic conditions, neurological disorders, or age-related changes.
In short, longitudinal monitoring turns MAPS testing from a snapshot into a roadmap, guiding personalized care decisions and helping ensure sustained improvements in function, performance, and overall well-being.
How We Categorize Results
We interpret your results in a way that’s easy to understand and actionable:
- Mild deviations: Often improved with targeted exercises and ergonomic changes
- Moderate deviations: May benefit from structured physiotherapy
Red flags: Indicate the need for further medical evaluation
Clear interpretation ensures you always know what your results mean — and what your next steps are.
Benefits of the Assessment
- Early detection of functional limitations before they impact daily activities or lead to injury
- Objective tracking of improvements or regressions in strength, balance, posture, and mobility
- Personalized care planning based on your unique movement profile
- Better outcomes through informed decision-making and precise monitoring.
- Reduced health care costs by identifying and addressing the problems early and by enhancing the outcomes with data driven rehab plans we minimize the risk of reinjury.
What to Expect
- Duration: ~30–60 minutes depending on tests performed and individual needs
- Preparation: Comfortable clothing and supportive footwear recommended
- Follow-up: Results are reviewed with you, with clear explanations and guidance.
Cost:
For Current clients of the clinic:
The cost is $80 for the MAPS Movement Test, and your physiotherapist will review the findings and discuss your rehab plans during your regular follow-up.
For New and Returning Clients:
Currently we are offering this service only to the current clients of Physio Care Owen Sound . If you would like to avail this service, please book a regular initial assessment during which our physiotherapist would discuss your concerns and the relevance and scope of MAPS Movement Testing and would book you the test if appropriate.
Who Should Consider This Program?
MAPS Movement Testing is ideal for:
- Active adults who focus on injury prevention and longevity.
- Athletes seeking performance optimization or return-to-sport clearance.
- People with chronic conditions such as Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, and related conditions, to ascertain the impact on their physical function.
- Individuals experiencing, or suspecting, a decline in function who want to understand their current status and track their progress or lack of it.
- Individuals with sports injuries who want to understand how the injury is affecting their performance and plan their rehabilitation using actionable, objective data.
MAPS Movement Testing gives you clarity, confidence, and direction in your care plan. Whether you’re looking to enhance performance, prevent injury, or improve your quality of life, it’s a powerful tool that sets the foundation for lasting progress.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s):
Are the results accurate?
Yes, the technology that we use has been shown to provide accurate and reliable measurements when compared with standard clinical and laboratory testing methods. However, like any physical assessment, results can be influenced by the individual’s current physical status, including factors such as time of day, level of fatigue, whether they are warmed up, pain levels, and overall effort during the test.
What is MAPS testing used for?
MAPS testing is used to objectively assess strength, balance, mobility, and functional performance. The results help clinicians understand physical limitations, track progress, and guide treatment or rehabilitation planning.
Is MAPS testing safe?
Yes. MAPS testing methods are non-invasive and performed within safe limits based on the individual’s ability and clinical condition. Tests are supervised by trained clinicians and can be modified or stopped at any time if discomfort occurs.
How long does the assessment take?
MAPS testing takes between 30–60 minutes, depending on the number of tests performed and the individual’s condition.
Do I need to prepare for the test?
Comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear are recommended. You may be asked to perform a brief warm-up before testing. It is also helpful to inform your clinician of any pain, fatigue, or recent activity prior to the assessment.
Will the results be shared with me?
Yes. Your clinician will review the results with you, explain what they mean, and discuss how they relate to your condition and treatment plan.
Can results change from one session to another?
Yes. Results may vary based on recovery status, pain levels, fatigue, or training effects. Repeat testing is often used to monitor progress over time rather than relying on a single measurement.
Is MAPS testing a replacement for clinical assessment?
MAPS testing complements, but does not replace, a full clinical examination. Results are interpreted alongside clinical findings and patient history.
I was a past client of Physio Care Owen Sound, Can I directly book for MAPS testing?
If you believe MAPS Movement Testing would be beneficial for you, please contact our office to schedule an appointment with your physiotherapist. During the visit, they will review your current concerns and goals, then choose the test battery that best aligns with your needs and priorities.
Reference:
- https://www.apta.org/apta-and-you/leadership-and-governance/policies/annual-visit. Retrieved on 4 Oct 2025.
- Tapley, H., Houser, J., Idlewine, T., Kiesel, J., Stevens, D., & Tapley, S. (2021). The annual physical therapy visit: Opportunities for service learning in professional education. Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education, 13(3).
- Andersen, J. T., Fuller, J., Lenton, G., & Doyle, T. (2023). A markerless motion capture system can reliably determine peak trunk flexion while squatting. Journal of Biomechanics, 152, 111587. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37080081/
- Collings, T. J., et al. (2025). Reliability of VALD DynaMo dynamometer to assess upper & lower body isometric strength assessments. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. PMID: 40850151.
