The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a widely used assessment tool in the fitness and healthcare industries. It is designed to evaluate the quality of movement in individuals, identifying potential risks for injury and areas for improvement. The FMS consists of seven movements that assess various aspects of mobility, stability, and coordination. In this article, we will delve into the details of the FMS, its benefits, and how to use it effectively.
What is the Functional Movement Screen?
The FMS is a comprehensive assessment tool that evaluates an individual's movement patterns. It was developed by Gray Cook and Lee Burton, and it has become a widely accepted standard in the fitness and healthcare industries. The FMS consists of seven movements, each designed to assess a specific aspect of movement quality.
The Seven Movements of the FMS
- Deep Squat: This movement assesses the individual's ability to perform a deep squat, evaluating their hip, knee, and ankle mobility.
- Hurdle Step: This movement evaluates the individual's ability to step over a hurdle, assessing their hip and knee mobility, as well as their balance and coordination.
- Lunge: This movement assesses the individual's ability to perform a lunge, evaluating their hip, knee, and ankle mobility, as well as their balance and coordination.
- Leg Swing: This movement evaluates the individual's ability to swing their leg, assessing their hip mobility and flexibility.
- Step-Up: This movement assesses the individual's ability to step up onto a platform, evaluating their hip, knee, and ankle mobility, as well as their balance and coordination.
- Rotary Stability: This movement evaluates the individual's ability to maintain stability while rotating their torso, assessing their core strength and stability.
- Active Straight Leg Raise: This movement assesses the individual's ability to lift their leg while keeping it straight, evaluating their hip mobility and flexibility.
Benefits of the Functional Movement Screen
The FMS offers numerous benefits for individuals and professionals in the fitness and healthcare industries. Some of the key benefits include:
- Injury Prevention: The FMS helps identify potential risks for injury, allowing individuals to take proactive steps to prevent injuries.
- Improved Movement Quality: The FMS provides a comprehensive assessment of movement quality, allowing individuals to identify areas for improvement.
- Enhanced Athletic Performance: By identifying and addressing movement limitations, individuals can improve their athletic performance and reduce their risk of injury.
- Improved Rehabilitation Outcomes: The FMS can be used to assess and address movement limitations in individuals undergoing rehabilitation, leading to improved outcomes.
How to Use the Functional Movement Screen
Using the FMS effectively requires a thorough understanding of the assessment tool and its application. Here are some steps to follow:
- Familiarize yourself with the FMS: Before using the FMS, it is essential to understand the seven movements and how to score them.
- Choose the right setting: The FMS can be used in a variety of settings, including fitness centers, healthcare clinics, and sports teams.
- Prepare the individual: Before administering the FMS, ensure the individual is comfortable and prepared.
- Administer the FMS: Follow the standardized protocol for administering the FMS, ensuring that each movement is performed correctly.
- Score the FMS: Score each movement based on the standardized criteria, using a scale of 0-3.
- Interpret the results: Interpret the results, identifying areas for improvement and developing a plan to address movement limitations.
Free Printable Download Available
A free printable download of the FMS is available, providing a comprehensive guide to the assessment tool. The download includes:
- FMS manual: A detailed manual outlining the seven movements and how to score them.
- FMS scoring sheet: A scoring sheet to record the individual's scores.
- FMS interpretation guide: A guide to interpreting the results and developing a plan to address movement limitations.
By using the FMS effectively, individuals and professionals in the fitness and healthcare industries can improve movement quality, prevent injuries, and enhance athletic performance.
We invite you to share your experiences with the FMS in the comments below. Have you used the FMS in your practice or training? What benefits have you seen? Share your thoughts and help us continue the conversation.
What is the Functional Movement Screen?
+The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a comprehensive assessment tool that evaluates an individual's movement patterns, identifying potential risks for injury and areas for improvement.
What are the seven movements of the FMS?
+The seven movements of the FMS are: Deep Squat, Hurdle Step, Lunge, Leg Swing, Step-Up, Rotary Stability, and Active Straight Leg Raise.
What are the benefits of the FMS?
+The benefits of the FMS include injury prevention, improved movement quality, enhanced athletic performance, and improved rehabilitation outcomes.