Asymmetries: When They’re Normal vs. When They Become a Risk Factor

Asymmetries are normal — but not all asymmetries are created equal. In this episode of the Movement Podcast, Gray Cook and Lee Burton break down the difference between anatomical, functional, and developmental asymmetry, and explain when asymmetry becomes a slippery slope that impacts performance, durability, and injury risk. They also discuss why the goal isn’t “perfect symmetry,” but keeping asymmetries from getting worse, and how movement screening helps coaches and clinicians make smarter training decisions. In this episode: • The 3 types of asymmetry: anatomical, functional, developmental • When asymmetry becomes a risk factor (and when it’s just sport-specific) • Why “don’t let it get worse” is the real goal • Key impairment asymmetries to watch: ankle dorsiflexion + grip strength • Why dynamic balance + functional patterns matter more than isolated measures • Practical ways to “scrub the corners” and restore awareness More from the Movement Podcast: Functional Movement Systems YouTube Facebook Instagram X (Twitter )

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Asymmetries: When They’re Normal vs. When They Become a Risk Factor is an episode from Movement Podcast by Gray Cook and Dr. Lee Burton.

This episode is 50:52 long.

This episode was published on Feb 5, 2026.

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