Bulacan State University

College of Sports, Exercise and Recreation

City of Malolos, Bulacan

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES TOWARDS HEALTH AND FITNESS II

Exercise-Based Fitness Activities

MONA LIZA E. MENDOZA, MPE, LPT

P.E. Instructor
 The Functional Movement Screen
The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a screening tool used to evaluate seven
fundamental movement patterns in individuals with no current pain complaint or
musculoskeletal injury. The FMS is not intended to diagnose orthopedic problems but rather
to demonstrate opportunities for improved movement in individuals.

The screen is designed to place an individual in extreme positions where movement deficits
become noticeable if appropriate stability and mobility are not used. Even though
individuals are performing an activity or sport at a high level, it has been observed that
many of these same individuals are limited in fundamental movement. This leads to the use
of compensatory movements in order to achieve or maintain the level of performance
needed for the activity. The inefficient use of compensation during movement will lead to
poor biomechanics that limit gains in performance and reduces the body’s ability to remain
adaptable and durable against the risks of being involved in the activity or sport.
7 movement
patterns
1. Deep Squat

The Deep Squat pattern challenges total body mechanics and neuromuscular
control. We use it to test bilateral, symmetrical, functional mobility and
stability of the hips, knees and ankles. The dowel overhead requires bilateral
symmetrical mobility and stability of the shoulders, scapular region and the
thoracic spine. The pelvis and core must establish stability and control
throughout the entire movement to achieve the full pattern.
2. Hurdle Step

The hurdle step pattern is an integral part of locomotion and acceleration. This
movement challenges the body’s step and stride mechanics, while testing stability and
control in a single leg stance. The hurdle step requires bilateral mobility and stability
of the hips, knees and ankles. The test also challenges stability and control of the pelvis
and core as it offers an opportunity to observe functional symmetry.
3. Inline Lunge

The Inline Lunge pattern places the body in a position to simulate stresses during
rotation, deceleration and lateral movements. The inline lunge places the lower
extremities in a split stance while the upper extremities are in an opposite or
reciprocal pattern. This replicates the natural counterbalance the upper and lower
extremities use to complement each other, as it uniquely demands spine stabilization.
This test also challenges hip, knee, ankle and foot mobility and stability.
4. Shoulder Mobility

The Shoulder Mobility pattern demonstrates the natural complementary

rhythm of the scapular-thoracic region, thoracic spine and rib cage during
reciprocal upper-extremity shoulder movements. This pattern also observes
bilateral shoulder range of motion, combining extension, internal rotation
and adduction in one extremity, and flexion, external rotation and abduction
of the other.
5. Active Straight-Leg Raise

The Active Straight-Leg Raise pattern not only identifies the active mobility of the
flexed hip, but looks at the core stability within the pattern, as well as the available
hip extension of the alternate hip. This is not so much a test of hip flexion on one side,
as it is an appraisal of the ability to separate the lower extremities in an unloaded
position. This pattern also challenges the ability to dissociate the lower extremities
while maintaining stability in the pelvis and core.
6. Trunk Stability Push Up

The Trunk Stability Push-Up pattern is used as a basic observation of reflex

core stabilization, and is not a test or measure of upper body strength. The
goal is to initiate movement with the upper extremities in a push up pattern
without allowing movement in the spine or hips. The movement tests the
ability to stabilize the spine in the sagittal plane during the closed kinetic
chain, upper body symmetrical movement
7. Rotary Stability

The Rotary Stability pattern is complex, requiring proper neuromuscular coordination and
energy transfer through the torso. This pattern observes multi-plane pelvis, core and shoulder
girdle stability during a combined upper and lower extremity movement. The movement
demonstrates reflex stabilization and weight shifting in the transverse plane, and it represents
the coordinated efforts of mobility and stability observed in fundamental climbing patterns.
 Scoring Criteria
The FMS uses a simplistic grading system. Each individual movement pattern has certain criteria
that must be accomplished in order to obtain a high score. The scoring is broken down into four
basic criteria

0 1 2 3
Zero is given if the One is given if the Two is given if the Three is given if the
individual has pain individual cannot individual can perform individual can perform
during any part of perform the the movement but must the movement without
utilize poor mechanics any compensations
the movement movement pattern
and compensatory
even with according to the
patterns to accomplish
compensations established criteria
the movement

There are five movement patterns which require bilateral testing; this will result in two scores for
those patterns. The lowest score is recorded for the final score; however, for assessment and data
collection purposes, both scores are needed. Three tests: Shoulder Mobility, Trunk Stability Push-
Up and Rotary Stability have clearing test associated with them that are scored as pass/fail. If a
person fails this part of the test, then a 0 is given as the overall score.
 Interpreting Screen Results
and Intervention
Within the FMS there is an algorithm or procedure for addressing the asymmetries and
restrictions found in the screen. The algorithm allows us to quickly identify and prioritize deficient
movement patterns. Once the priority movement pattern has been identified, this allows for
targeted intervention using corrective exercise. If an individual has no areas of concern within a
movement pattern then they would be cleared to train and load that pattern. This provides an
appropriate movement baseline for further physical capacity and performance testing, such as
the Y-Balance Test.

If an individual has pain during the screen, the individual should be referred out to a healthcare
professional for a Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA). The SFMA is a total body
diagnostic system designed to provide an efficient method for systematically finding the cause of
the patient’s pain, not just the source.
 When to use FMS
Ideally the FMS would be introduced as a part of a pre-placement or pre-participation
examination to determine deficits that may be overlooked during the traditional medical and
performance evaluations. Muscle flexibility, strength imbalances or compensation due to previous
injury are all acknowledged as significant risk factors for injury. In many cases, the FMS will pinpoint
these issues that may not be identified in other standard evaluations. The functional movement
screen will identify functional deficits related to proprioceptive, mobility and stability limitations. If
these risk factors can be identified and addressed using the FMS, then decreases in injuries and
improved performance should follow.

The FMS can also be used to re-screen for feedback every 4-6 weeks or when an improvement is
seen in the priority movement pattern. Re-screening provides feedback into the effectiveness of the
current program design and provides insight on how and when to move to higher level progressions
or a new priority movement pattern.