Functional Movement Screen (FMS) in Physical Education: What It Is, How It Works, and Its Benefits

What Does FMS Stand For in Physical Education?

In the context of Physical Education (PE), FMS stands for the Functional Movement Screen. It is a standardized screening tool designed to identify limitations or asymmetries in fundamental movement patterns, providing educators and coaches with insights into an individual's movement quality and potential risk for injury.

Understanding the Functional Movement Screen (FMS)

The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a system developed by physical therapist Gray Cook and athletic trainer Lee Burton. It is not a diagnostic tool for specific injuries but rather a screening tool that assesses seven fundamental movement patterns performed without compensation or pain. The core philosophy behind FMS is that to build true fitness and athletic performance, individuals must first possess a solid foundation of fundamental movement competency.

• What is FMS? The FMS comprises a series of seven simple, non-invasive movements that require a balance of mobility and stability. These movements are designed to expose weaknesses, imbalances, asymmetries, and limitations in basic human movement.
• The "Why" Behind FMS: The premise is that dysfunctional movement patterns, if not addressed, can lead to decreased performance and an increased risk of injury during physical activity. By identifying these issues early, interventions can be implemented to correct them, thereby creating a more robust and resilient individual.

The Seven Fundamental Movements of FMS

The FMS evaluates an individual's ability to perform seven distinct movement patterns, each scored on a scale from 0 to 3 (with 3 being excellent and 0 indicating pain during the movement). These movements are:

• Deep Squat: Assesses bilateral, symmetrical, and functional mobility of the hips, knees, and ankles, as well as thoracic spine extension and scapular stability.
• Hurdle Step: Challenges the body's ability to demonstrate hip and ankle mobility and static stability within the stance leg, along with dynamic stability in the stepping leg.
• In-Line Lunge: Evaluates hip, ankle, and knee mobility and stability, as well as quadriceps flexibility and balance.
• Shoulder Mobility: Assesses bilateral shoulder range of motion, scapular mobility, and thoracic spine extension.
• Active Straight-Leg Raise: Measures the active hamstring and gastrocnemius flexibility while maintaining a stable pelvis.
• Trunk Stability Push-Up: Assesses trunk stability in the sagittal plane while a symmetrical upper-extremity movement is performed.
• Rotary Stability: Evaluates multi-plane trunk stability during a combined upper and lower extremity movement.

The scoring system helps identify a "movement baseline" and highlights specific areas that require attention. A score of 0 indicates pain, warranting a referral to a healthcare professional. Scores of 1 indicate the inability to perform the movement pattern, 2 indicates compensation, and 3 indicates ideal performance.

FMS in the Context of Physical Education (PE)

Incorporating FMS principles into Physical Education offers a proactive approach to student health and athletic development. For PE teachers, who are often the first line of defense in promoting physical literacy, FMS provides a structured framework.

• Identifying Movement Deficiencies: PE teachers can use FMS to quickly identify students who may struggle with basic movement patterns essential for sports and daily activities. This allows for targeted interventions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
• Injury Prevention: By recognizing students with movement asymmetries or limitations, educators can implement corrective exercises or modify activities to reduce the risk of injury during PE classes, sports, and recreational play. This is particularly crucial as children specialize in sports at younger ages.
• Guiding Program Design: FMS results can inform the design of PE curricula, emphasizing fundamental movement skills before progressing to more complex or sport-specific movements. It promotes a "move well, then move often" philosophy.
• Promoting Long-Term Athletic Development (LTAD): The FMS aligns well with LTAD models by prioritizing fundamental movement skills and physical literacy at early stages of development, creating a strong foundation for future athletic pursuits and lifelong physical activity.

Benefits of Incorporating FMS Principles in PE

The application of FMS in PE extends beyond just identifying problems; it empowers educators and benefits students significantly.

• Enhanced Movement Literacy: Students learn to move more efficiently and effectively, improving their body awareness and control.
• Reduced Risk of Injury: Proactive identification and correction of movement dysfunctions can significantly lower the incidence of common sports and activity-related injuries.
• Improved Performance Foundations: A solid movement foundation translates to better performance in various physical activities and sports, as students can execute skills with greater efficiency and power.
• Personalized Instruction: FMS provides objective data that allows PE teachers to tailor exercises and activities to individual student needs, promoting a more inclusive and effective learning environment.

Limitations and Considerations

While beneficial, it's important to understand the limitations of FMS:

• Not a Diagnostic Tool: FMS screens for movement dysfunction, not pain or specific injuries. A score of 0 (pain) necessitates referral to a qualified healthcare professional.
• Requires Training: Proper administration and interpretation of the FMS require specific training and certification to ensure accuracy and effective application.
• One Piece of the Puzzle: FMS should be used in conjunction with other assessments, such as health history, performance tests, and observational analysis, to gain a holistic understanding of an individual's physical capabilities.

Conclusion: Building a Foundation for Lifelong Movement

In Physical Education, the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) represents a valuable, evidence-based tool for assessing fundamental movement quality. By helping PE teachers identify and address movement limitations and asymmetries early, the FMS supports injury prevention, guides effective program design, and ultimately fosters enhanced physical literacy. This proactive approach helps students build a robust foundation for safe, efficient, and enjoyable participation in physical activity throughout their lives, aligning perfectly with the core mission of Physical Education.