The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is designed to:
Assess mobility, stability, and motor control during fundamental movement patterns.
* Identify weaknesses, imbalances, asymmetries, and movement limitations.
* Place clients into challenging positions to reveal potential dysfunctions that could
impact athletic performance or daily activities
I. Joint-by-Joint Concept of Mobility
ankle, thoracic spine, shoulder (glenhohumeral), and hip
I. Joint-by-Joint Concept of stability
knee, lumbar spine, and scapula
Training should reinforce
mobility at mobile joints and stability at stable joints to ensure
functional movement patterns and minimize injury risk.
General Guidelines for Movement and Safety; breathing
Exhale during the concentric (lifting) phase.
o Inhale during the eccentric (lowering) phase.
o Use the Valsalva maneuver during heavy lifts (>80% 1RM) to stabilize the spine
General Guidelines for Movement and Safety; spinal safety
Minimize repetitive spinal flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation unless sport-
specific. Train by resisting unwanted spinal motion.
General Guidelines for Movement and Safety
Ensure proper body alignment and establish a stable base (feet slightly wider than
shoulder-width for standing exercises).
the seven FMS movements:
deep squat, hurdle step, inline lunge, shoulder mobility, active straight leg raise, trunk stability push up, and rotary stability
Purpose of FMS movement: deep squat
Tests total body mobility, especially ankles, hips, shoulders, and
thoracic spine.
Purpose of FMS movement: hurdle step
Assesses stride mechanics, hip mobility/stability, and core control.
Purpose of FMS movement: shoulder mobility
Assesses shoulder ROM and thoracic spine mobility.
Purpose of FMS movement: inline lunge
Evaluates split-stance stability, mobility, and coordination.
Purpose of FMS movement: active straight leg raise
Measures active hamstring and hip mobility with core stability.
Purpose of FMS movement: trunk stability push up
Assesses core strength in a closed-chain upper-body movement.
Purpose of FMS movement: rotary stability
Tests multi-plane core stability during asymmetric movement.
FMS raw score
Scores left and right sides separately where appropriate.
FMS final score
The lower of the two side scores becomes the final score for that movement
FMS pain score
automatic 0. Refer the individual for medical evaluation if any pain is reported during testing.
FMS scoring 0-3
3 Movement performed correctly without compensation.
2 Movement performed with some compensation or minor deviation.
1 Unable to complete the movement pattern.
0 Pain is present during the movement.
FMS important testing considerations
Consistency is key:
Use scripted verbal instructions provided during FMS testing to maintain reliability.
* Pain during testing:
Stop testing immediately; medical referral is needed.
* Clearing Tests:
o Shoulder Clearing Test: Check for pain in shoulder flexion/rotation.
o Spinal Clearing Tests: Check for pain during extension (press-up) and flexion
(posterior rocking)
FMS is a ____
screening tool, not a diagnostic assessment.
FMS identifies
asymmetries and limitations that could predispose athletes to injury
Purpose of Athletic Testing;Athlete testing serves three essential functions:
1.)dentify Strengths and Weaknesses:
Determine key physical attributes that need improvement for optimal performance.
2.)Goal Setting:
Establish specific, measurable objectives based on initial assessments.
3.)Track Progress:
Evaluate the effectiveness of training interventions over time.
Key Testing Terminology: test
A procedure designed to assess a particular ability.
