What your musculoskeletal screening score is telling you
Nicola Tik
Muscle function is one of the most reliable indicators of long-term musculoskeletal health, and it is something that responds well to attention. A score that suggests there is room for improvement is not a cause for concern but a useful starting point. This article explains what muscle function means in practice, why it matters, and what a clear and achievable path forward looks like.
Muscle function is not just about strength. It covers the full picture of how well the muscles support the body through everyday movement, including strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and the ability to move through a comfortable range without restriction. When any of these components is below where it could be, the body tends to compensate in small ways that, over time, can contribute to discomfort, fatigue, and a gradual reduction in what feels possible.
A lower muscle function score reflects that combination rather than any single weakness. It is a snapshot of how the musculoskeletal system is currently performing overall, and like most things in the body, it is something that responds meaningfully to consistent and well-directed effort over time.
Good muscle function underpins almost everything the body does. It supports the joints during movement, protects the spine during lifting and carrying, makes sustained activity less tiring, and reduces the likelihood of pain and injury over the longer term. Research consistently shows that people with better muscle function report lower rates of MSK pain, better mobility as they age, and greater capacity to do the things they enjoy.
The relationship works in both directions. Reduced muscle function tends to make everyday demands feel harder, which can gradually reduce how active a person is, which in turn leads to further reduction in muscle function over time. The good news is that this cycle is very responsive to change. Even modest and consistent increases in activity tend to produce meaningful improvements in muscle function over weeks and months.
A muscle function score below the benchmark most commonly reflects the cumulative effect of a lifestyle that has not included enough varied physical activity over time. Sedentary work, limited regular exercise, and the gradual reduction in activity that tends to happen with age and busy schedules all contribute. It is rarely the result of a single factor and almost never reflects anything that cannot be improved.
Periods of reduced activity following illness, injury, or significant life changes can also bring muscle function scores down, and those reductions are generally very responsive to a gradual return to activity.
Improving muscle function does not require a dramatic overhaul of daily life. The evidence consistently shows that regular, varied, and progressive activity is what drives improvement, and that consistency over time matters more than intensity at any single session.
A useful starting point is building more movement into the week across three areas. Cardiovascular activity such as walking, cycling, or swimming builds the endurance component of muscle function and is accessible for most people regardless of current fitness level. Strength work targeting the major muscle groups of the legs, trunk, and upper body builds the capacity to manage everyday loads more comfortably. Flexibility and mobility work supports the range of motion that allows the body to move freely and reduces the stiffness that tends to accompany lower muscle function scores.
None of these needs to be intense or time-consuming to make a difference. Research suggests that even two to three sessions of moderate activity per week, sustained consistently over several months, produces meaningful improvements in overall muscle function.
If you would like a guided starting point for movement, VIDA has a range of short exercise videos you can follow at your own pace.