Did You Know?
8 out of the 12 finalists in the NFL used the FMS in their athlete preparation.
The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and the Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) were developed by American Physical Therapist, Gray Cook. They were created to identify movement dysfunctions in an athlete which would increase the risk of injury.
What is the difference between the FMS and the SFMA?
The FMS is used on healthy athletes (those without pain) to monitor their adaptation to training stimulus. It represents the base level of movement that is required by an athlete to complete their training with minimised injury risk.
The SFMA is used by medically trained practitioners, to identify movement patterns which may be contributing to a training induced injury.
But some of the tests on the FMS and the SFMA are the same?
That is true, but the tests are scored according to different criteria. The FMS identifies movement dysfunctions in functional tasks, whilst the SFMA identifies movement dysfunctions as they relate to pathologies (e.g. tendonitis).
When should I be screened?
The SFMA should be administered whenever an injury is present. The FMS is used more as an ongoing screen, and is most valuable when your training changes, such as the changes in Phases within your macrocycle.
Who can administer the tests?
The tests are extremely simple to administer, however it is in the analysis and corrective prescription that the real challenge lies. It is important, that the results are interpreted within the context of the screening tools, as only then can predictive outcomes be obtained.It is easy to identify a limitation, but unless this limitation is reviewed within the wider framework of functional movement, one cannot determine the adaptation required to reduce injury risk. It is important, then, that the FMS and SFMA are administered by Practitioners who have completed the Functional Movement Certification process.
Where can I find more information?
Visit this website for more information on the FMS.