Functional Movement Screening Test

Introduction:

A popular and commonly used evaluation method in the field of sports medicine is functional movement screening (FMS). It is intended to examine functional mobility asymmetries, pinpoint restrictions, and assess a person's movement patterns. The main purpose of FMS is to offer unbiased data to help medical professionals, coaches, and trainers create efficient injury prevention plans, improve performance, and direct rehabilitation programs for athletes.

What Is Functional Movement Screening?

Functional movement screen (FMS) is a useful tool for identifying and treating asymmetries that may result in functional movement impairments. Its main goal is to identify abnormalities in both mobility and stability by assessing how well a person performs seven basic movement patterns. These patterns are specifically created to draw attention to any obvious deficiencies or imbalances that could develop when a person is put in difficult conditions, highlighting the significance of adequate mobility and motor control. A specific program of corrective exercises may be created to address these inadequacies, aiming to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal problems.

What Are the Fundamental Movement Patterns in FMS?

Seven fundamental movement patterns are included in the FMS to assess a person's mobility and stability. These movement patterns are evaluated using a 0 to 3-point scoring scale, with a total score that can vary from 0 to 21 points. The seven-movement types are as follows:

• Deep Squat:

  • Squatting is a basic movement pattern that is used in many different sports. For many forceful motions involving the lower extremities, it acts as the starting posture. When done correctly, the deep squat, in particular, is a useful test that accurately assesses the mechanics of the entire body. With an emphasis on bilateral and symmetrical movement, it is generally used to evaluate the functional mobility of the hips, knees, and ankles.

  • The deep squat evaluation includes the person holding a dowel overhead to check the thoracic spine and shoulders for bilateral (both sides) and symmetrical (equal) mobility. Additionally, it sheds light on the core musculature's stability and motor control.

  • Clinical Consequences of the Deep Squat - The capacity to manage the body in space utilizing the core muscles is put to the test as a closed kinetic chain dorsiflexion (lifting the foot up and towards the shin) of the ankles, knees, and hips, the extension of the thoracic spine, and flexion (limb bending at joints) and abduction (any movement which is away from the middle of the body) of the shoulders are needed for a deep squat.

• Hurdle Step:

  • The hurdle step test is particularly made to determine how well the body moves and coordinates during a stepping action. It is designed to evaluate balance during single-leg stance as well as the capability to maintain stability and synchronization between the hips and torso (trunk) throughout the exercise. The hurdle step assesses the functional mobility and stability of the hips, knees, and ankles on a bilateral basis, offering important insights into the mobility and stability of the entire lower body.

  • Clinical Consequences of the Hurdle Step - The hurdle step test needs maximum hip closed kinetic chain extension (the distal portion of the limb experiences resistance, which is fixed to the extremity) and stance leg stability of the ankle, knee, and hip. In order to do the hurdle step, one must additionally dorsiflex (hand or foot should bend and contract backward) the ankle, flex (bend) the knee, and flex the hip. The athlete must also have sufficient balance because the test demands dynamic stability.

• In-line Lunge:

  • The in-line lunge aims to position the body so that it will concentrate on the strains caused by movements of the lateral, rotating, and decelerating kinds. In the in-line lunge test, the lower extremities are positioned in a scissor-like posture, imposing a small base of support that tests the ability of the trunk and limbs to withstand rotation and retain appropriate alignment. Additionally, the flexibility and stability of the quadriceps ( muscle at the front of the thigh, which extends the leg and is split into four separate parts), the hips, and the ankles are all evaluated during this exam.

  • Clinical Consequences of the In-line Lunge - The in-line lunge test involves controlled closed kinetic chain hip abduction in addition to stance leg stability of the ankle, knee, and hip. Step leg mobility, hip abduction, ankle dorsiflexion, and rectus femoris flexibility are additional requirements for the in-line lunge. Due to the lateral load placed on the athlete, the balance must also be sufficient.

• Active Straight-Leg Raise:

  • The capacity to separate the lower extremities from the trunk while preserving thoracic stability is tested by the active straight leg raise (ASLR). The ASLR test measures active hamstring (the three muscles that make up the hamstrings go from the hip to just below the knee down the back of the leg) flexibility together with an active extension of the opposing leg while maintaining a stable pelvic and core.

  • Clinical Consequences of the Active Straight-Leg Raise - Functional flexibility of the hamstring, gluteal, and iliotibial band (It is a tendon that may scrape up against the bones of your knee or hip), all of which are necessary for training and competition is also necessary for passing the ASLR test.

• Trunk Stability Push-Up:

  • The trunk stability push-up measures the ability to maintain stability in the midsection and spine throughout a closed-chain upper body action. During the test, the upper extremities are pushed up symmetrically while the trunk's stability in the sagittal plane (an anatomical line separating the left and right halves of the body) is measured.

  • Clinical Consequences of the Active Straight-Leg Raise Trunk Stability Push-up - To do the trunk stability push-up, one needs symmetric trunk stability in the sagittal plane while engaging symmetric upper extremities. To perform a range of sports activities, the trunk stabilizers must symmetrically transmit force from the upper extremities to the lower extremities and vice versa. This kind of energy transfer is frequently seen in sports like basketball rebounding, volleyball overhead blocking, and football pass blocking. During these exercises, if the trunk is not sufficiently stable, kinetic energy will be spread, which might result in poor functional performance as well as the possibility of micro-traumatic damage.

• Rotary Stability:

  • The rotational stability test is a difficult exercise that requires ideal neuromuscular coordination and efficient energy transfer from one region of the body to another through the torso. The rotational stability test evaluates multiplanar (different planes) trunk stability while combining upper and lower extremities movements.

  • Clinical Consequences of the Rotary Stability - The rotational stability test needs asymmetric trunk stability during asymmetric upper and lower extremity movement in the sagittal and transverse planes. The trunk stabilizers must symmetrically transfer force from the upper extremities to the lower extremities and vice versa in order to carry out many sporting activities. This kind of energy transfer is frequently demonstrated by running and exploding out of a down posture in football and track. During these exercises, the trunk's stability must be sufficient to prevent the loss of kinetic energy, which will result in poor performance and a higher risk of injury.

• Shoulder Mobility:

  • By combining internal rotation with the adduction of one shoulder and the abduction of the other, the shoulder mobility screen evaluates the range of motion in both the bilateral and reciprocal shoulders. Normal scapular range of motion and thoracic spine extension is also necessary for the exam.

  • Clinical Consequences of the Shoulder Mobility - The shoulder mobility test involves flexibility in a variety of actions, including abduction or external rotation, flexion (a bending motion that reduces the angle between the bones of the limb at the joint of the limb), extension (increasing the angle between bodily components by straightening the body), and adduction (bringing limbs closer to the midline) or internal rotation. The scapula and thoracic spine must also be movable for this assessment.

Which Is the Intended Population on Whom FMS Is Used?

The FMS was created as a screening tool for those who may have functional mobility deficiencies, which might point to a higher risk of injury. However, it may also be used by people of all ages, from young, energetic people to middle-aged people, elite college and professional athletes, as well as members of the military. Lower FMS scores have been found to be correlated with higher BMI, older age, and lower levels of exercise. The cut-off point on the FMS is a score of less than or equal to 14. People who receive less than 14 points on the FMS screen have a higher chance of getting injured.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, functional movement screening is essential for evaluating an athlete's movement patterns, identifying their limits, and assessing asymmetries. This evaluation tool allows medical practitioners, trainers, and coaches to create individualized injury prevention plans, improve sports performance, and direct rehabilitation programs. The ultimate objective is to improve an athlete's quality of movement, lower their risk of injury, and maximize their total athletic potential.