Functional Movement Screening - Your Guide to Injury Prevention in Savannah GA

One of the most important aspects of fitness and physical wellbeing is keeping joints and muscles healthy. Injuries can arise while participating in any activity, be it sports, housework, yard work, repetitive motion patterns at the workplace, and so on. Functional Movement Screening (FMS) is a system that has been used for many years to identify movement imbalances before they become problematic.

Functional Movement Screening (FMS) is a movement-based screening test to evaluate neuromuscular coordination, biomechanics, and symmetry. FMS is used by professional sports teams, physical therapists, and athletic trainers to help athletes get back on the field more quickly and prevent future injury. Fortunately, it can be performed on anyone to help learn more about their biomechanics and movement quality.

What is the Functional Movement Screen?

The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) identifies movement dysfunction and asymmetries which can be left behind by previous injuries and imbalanced movement habits. The FMS is composed of seven simple tests that can be performed in a clinical or gym setting.

The FMS was developed by physical therapist Gray Cook and athletic trainer Kevin Wilk. They designed the system with the goal of reducing the risk of injuries in athletes. In one study, FMS was able to correctly identify 85% of athletes who subsequently sustained a lower-extremity injury.

The FMS consists of seven tests: the deep squat, hurdle step, inline lunge, shoulder mobility, active straight-leg raise, trunk stability push-up, and rotational stability. Each test is scored on a scale of 0-3, with 0 showing the presence of pain (calling for referral to medical professionals for diagnosis and therapy) and 3 being the optimal movement pattern. A score of 2 is considered functional with room for improvement, and a score of 1 indicates a risk for injury.

The FMS is not a diagnostic tool, but rather a screening tool

The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is consistent assessment tool that provides valuable information about anybody’s ability to perform both fundamental and coordinated movements. It can be repeated over time to show improvement, and it can be shared among movement therapists and trainers to understand anybody’s movement quality.

Why should I get a Functional Movement Screen?

The Functional Movement Screen can help identify movement patterns that may be putting you at risk, especially if you have been injured before. When your score shows areas in need of improvement, there are extensive libraries of corrective exercises to draw from to move you from good to better to best. Your mobility, stability, and strength are all incorporated to help you perform better in your chosen sports or workouts.

Who can perform a Functional Movement Screening in Savannah GA?

The FMS can be conducted by our certified personal trainers at CustomFit Center. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with a member of our team. The Functional Movement Screen is included in our $159 Intro To CustomFit Package. The fee for the FMS alone is $70.

FMS is great for all levels of activity, from weekend warriors to professional athletes. It provides a great starting point for your trainer to develop exercise programs best suited for your unique movement patterns and goals. So if you’re looking to stay healthy and avoid injuries, make an appointment and get screened today.