Functional movement screening: the use of fundamental movements as an assessment of function - part 1

Abstract

To prepare an athlete for the wide variety of activities needed to participate in or return to their sport, the analysis of fundamental movements should be incorporated into screening in order to determine who possesses, or lacks, the ability to perform certain essential movements. In a series of two articles, the background and rationale for the analysis of fundamental movement will be provided. The Functional Movement Screen (FMS™) will be described, and any evidence related to its use will be presented. Three of the seven fundamental movement patterns that comprise the FMS™ are described in detail in Part I: the Deep Squat, Hurdle Step, and In-Line Lunge. Part II of this series which will be provided in the August issue of IJSPT, will provide a detailed description of the four additional patterns that complement those presented in Part I (to complete the seven total fundamental movements): Shoulder Mobility, the Active Straight Leg Raise, the Trunk Stability Push-up, and Rotary Stability, as well as a discussion about the utility of functional movement screening, and the future of functional movement. The intent of this two part series is to present the concepts associated with screening of fundamental movements, whether it is the FMS™ system or a different system devised by another clinician. Such a functional assessment should be incorporated into pre-participation screening and return to sport testing in order to determine whether the athlete has the essential movements needed to participate in sports activities at a level of minimum competency.

Level of evidence: 5.

Keywords: Function; movement screening; performance testing.

Figures

Figure 1.

Performance of the Deep Squat test, scored as a “3”, viewed from the front (a), and from the side (b). Note: The upper torso is parallel with the tibia or toward vertical, the femur is below horizontal, the knees are aligned over the feet, and the dowel is also aligned over the feet.

Figure 2.

Performance of the Deep Squat test, scored as a “2”, viewed from the front (a), and from the side (b). Note: The upper torso is parallel with the tibia or toward vertical, the femur is below horizontal, the knees are over the feet, the dowel is also aligned with the feet, however the heels are elevated on a 2” board.

Figure 3.

Performance of the Deep Squat test, scored as a “1”, viewed from the front (a), and from the side (b). Note: the tibia and the upper torso are not parallel, the femur is not below horizontal, the knees are not aligned over the feet, or lumbar flexion is noted. Heels are elevated on a 2” board.

Figure 4.

Performance of the Hurdle Step, scored as a “3”, viewed from the front (a), and from the side (b). Note: hips, knees and ankles remain aligned in the sagittal plane. Minimal to no movement is noted in the lumbar spine, and the dowel and hurdle remain parallel.

Figure 5.

Performance of the Hurdle Step, scored as a “2”, viewed from the front (a), and from the side (b). Note: Alignment is lost between the hips, knees, and ankles. Movement is noted in the lumbar spine, or the dowel and hurdle do not remain parallel.

Figure 6.

Performance of the Hurdle Step, scored as a “1”, viewed from the front (a), and from the side (b). Note: An athlete must be scored as a “1” if contact with the hurdle occurs during the test, or a loss of balance is noted.

Figure 7.

Performance of the In Line Lunge, scored as a “3”, viewed from the front (a), and from the side (b). Note: the dowel remains vertical, and in contact with the spine, there is no torso movement noted, the dowel and feet remain in the sagittal plane, and the knee touches the board behind the heel of the front foot.

Figure 8.

Performance of the In Line Lunge, scored as a “2”, viewed from the front (a), and from the side (b). Note: Dowel contacts are not maintained, the dowel does not remain vertical, movement is noted in the torso, the dowel and feet do not remain in the sagittal plane, or the knee does not touch behind the heel of the front foot.

Figure 9.

Performance of the In Line Lunge, scored as a “1”, viewed from the front (a), and from the side (b). Note: A score of “1” is awarded if the athlete loses balance.