Functional Movement Screen: Foundational, Predictive, and Corrective Models

What are the three FMS models?

The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) utilizes three interconnected models – the Foundational Model, the Predictive Model, and the Corrective Model – to assess movement quality, identify potential injury risks, and guide targeted intervention strategies.

Understanding the Functional Movement Screen (FMS)

The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a standardized, seven-test screen used to evaluate fundamental movement patterns in individuals. Developed by physical therapist Gray Cook and athletic trainer Lee Burton, the FMS is not a diagnostic tool for specific injuries or pathologies. Instead, its primary purpose is to identify movement limitations, asymmetries, and pain within basic functional patterns. By providing a baseline of movement quality, the FMS helps fitness professionals, coaches, and clinicians make informed decisions regarding exercise programming, risk management, and performance enhancement.

The Foundational Model: Establishing Movement Baselines

The first and most fundamental model of the FMS is the Foundational Model. This model posits that a baseline of fundamental movement competency is essential for both athletic performance and injury prevention. It operates on the principle that before adding load, intensity, or complexity, an individual must demonstrate the ability to perform basic, unweighted movements with quality and control.

• Core Concept: The Foundational Model focuses on assessing seven specific movement patterns: Deep Squat, Hurdle Step, In-Line Lunge, Shoulder Mobility, Active Straight-Leg Raise, Trunk Stability Push-Up, and Rotational Stability. Each movement is scored on a 0-3 scale, with 3 indicating excellent execution, 2 indicating acceptable execution with minor compensation, 1 indicating inability to complete the movement or significant compensation, and 0 indicating pain during the movement.
• Application: The scores from these seven tests provide a snapshot of an individual's fundamental movement capabilities, highlighting any restrictions, imbalances, or pain that might be present. These scores establish a qualitative baseline against which future improvements or regressions can be measured.
• Goal: To identify an individual's "movement baseline" and reveal any dysfunctional patterns that could predispose them to injury or limit their physical potential.

The Predictive Model: Assessing Injury Risk

The second FMS model, the Predictive Model, builds upon the Foundational Model by correlating FMS scores with the likelihood of future injury. This model is rooted in the extensive research that has demonstrated a relationship between poor fundamental movement patterns and increased injury risk, particularly in athletic populations.

• Core Concept: This model suggests that individuals with lower composite FMS scores (typically a score of 14 or less out of a possible 21) or significant asymmetries (a score difference of 1 or more between bilateral movements) are at a statistically higher risk of sustaining a musculoskeletal injury. The presence of pain during any movement (a score of 0) is a critical indicator that necessitates immediate referral to a qualified healthcare professional.
• Research: Numerous studies across various sports and populations have explored the predictive validity of the FMS. While no single score guarantees injury, a body of evidence supports the notion that a low FMS score can serve as a valuable screening tool for identifying individuals who may benefit from corrective intervention to reduce their injury susceptibility.
• Nuance: It's crucial to understand that the FMS is a screening tool, not a diagnostic one. A low score indicates increased risk, not a guaranteed injury, nor does it pinpoint the exact anatomical cause of a limitation. It prompts further investigation and a more conservative approach to training.

The Corrective Model: Guiding Targeted Intervention

The third FMS model, the Corrective Model, provides a systematic framework for developing individualized exercise programs based on the findings from the Foundational and Predictive Models. Once movement limitations or asymmetries are identified, this model guides the selection of appropriate corrective strategies.

• Core Concept: The Corrective Model operates on a hierarchical approach, prioritizing the most dysfunctional patterns identified by the FMS. It emphasizes addressing fundamental movement limitations before progressing to more complex or loaded exercises. The FMS provides a specific algorithm or "roadmap" for corrective exercise selection, often prioritizing mobility limitations over stability deficits, and addressing painful movements first.
• Methodology: The FMS corrective strategy often follows a "reset, reinforce, restore" philosophy:
  • Reset: Using techniques like foam rolling or manual therapy to temporarily improve tissue extensibility or joint mobility.
  • Reinforce: Employing corrective exercises (e.g., specific stretches, motor control drills) to integrate and stabilize the newly acquired range of motion or pattern.
  • Restore: Gradually progressing to more complex movements and eventually integrating the improved pattern into functional activities and strength training.
• Goal: To improve movement quality, eliminate asymmetries, reduce pain, and ultimately enhance an individual's resilience to injury and readiness for higher levels of physical activity.

The Interplay of the FMS Models

The three FMS models are not isolated concepts but rather operate synergistically to provide a comprehensive approach to movement assessment and intervention. The Foundational Model provides the initial data, identifying specific movement limitations. This data is then interpreted through the lens of the Predictive Model to understand the potential implications for injury risk. Finally, the Corrective Model leverages this information to design a targeted, individualized exercise program aimed at improving the identified dysfunctions.

This integrated approach allows fitness and health professionals to systematically evaluate an individual's movement capabilities, identify areas of concern, and implement evidence-informed strategies to optimize movement health, reduce injury risk, and enhance overall physical performance.

Conclusion: The Value of a Comprehensive Movement Perspective

The Functional Movement Screen, through its three distinct yet interconnected models, offers a valuable framework for understanding, assessing, and improving human movement. By establishing a movement baseline, predicting potential injury risks, and guiding targeted corrective strategies, the FMS provides a systematic and evidence-informed approach to promoting movement health. For fitness enthusiasts, personal trainers, and kinesiologists, grasping these models is crucial for implementing effective, safe, and progressive exercise programs that truly build a foundation for lasting physical well-being.