In our last blog we mentioned the Functional Movement Screen in our Return to Sport Program. (Check it out here). In this blog we are going to give you some more information about what a Functional Movement Screen is and why we use it with our patients and athletes.
What is the Functional Movement Screen (FMS)?
The FMS looks at 7 functional movements that mimic the positions our body is in during sport or just daily life. Some of these include the overhead deep squat and hurdle step. These functional movements assess joint mobility, muscle flexibility, and the overall muscle stability needed to complete these functional movements. It also shows us where there are differences between the right and left sides of the body that may cause injuries or be the cause of pain a client is currently experiencing.
One of the greatest benefits of the FMS is that it guides us to exercises to prescribe for the client that are specific to their movement needs. These exercises are then incorporated into their home workouts and/or workouts in the clinic or Academy to improve their functional movement patterns and avoid or correct injury.
Let’s take a look at some research that shows the benefits of using the FMS.
According to Lehr et al, FMS and Y Balance Test (YBT, another test we use) placed 63/183 college athletes into the high risk category for injury. 27 of the 42 non-contact injuries were those who were placed in the high risk catagory. Athletes in the high risk category were 3.4 times more likely to get injured. This research shows that FMS and YBT show which athletes are more likely to get injured. Improving scores of the FMS and YBT can reduce injury risk.
According to Lisman et al, Marine Corp candidates who scored poorly on the 3-mile test, combined with low FMS scores (<14) were 4.2 times more likely to get injured. This research shows that the FMS is useful for adults seeking to avoid injury.
According to Chapman et al, increased personal bests over the year were noted in track and field athletes who scored 15 or above on the FMS. Scoring 3 on the overhead deep squat would result in a better personal best compared to 2 and 1. This research shows that FMS scores correlate to performance.
Looking at the research above, the FMS can help avoid injury in both high level athletes and active adults. It also shows that increased scores on the FMS can predict better performance.
With all of the benefits of the FMS, does it replace the need for physical therapy? No. A physical therapist is a medical professional that helps reduce pain from injury. The FMS can be used as part of your physical therapy treatment to identify the possible cause of injury and to avoid injury in the future but it is not a replacement for the medical treatment of the physical therapist.
At the Center, we use trained professionals to deliver the FMS that work closely with your physical therapist to produce the best possible outcomes for each client.
Ask your physical therapist, physician, or personal trainer if a FMS screen is right for you!
To schedule a complementary consultation and see if FMS is right for you, visit our page here.
Research:
Lehr ME, Plisky PJ, Butler RJ, Fink ML, Kiesel KB, Underwood FB. Field-expedient screening and injury risk algorithm categories as predictors of noncontact lower extremity injury. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2013 Aug;23(4):e225-32. doi: 10.1111/sms.12062. Epub 2013 Mar 20. PMID: 23517071.
Lisman P, O’Connor FG, Deuster PA, Knapik JJ. Functional movement screen and aerobic fitness predict injuries in military training. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2013 Apr;45(4):636-43. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e31827a1c4c. PMID: 23190584.
Chapman RF, Laymon AS, Arnold T. Functional movement scores and longitudinal performance outcomes in elite track and field athletes. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2014 Mar;9(2):203-11. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2012-0329. Epub 2013 Apr 23. PMID: 23630121.