ABOUT FMS

My goals for my FMS class athletes include:

• Injury prevention

• Screening and addressing weaknesses and correcting asymmetries

• Agility and speed improvements

• Increasing vertical jump and decreasing landing impact force

• Mobility and stability/strength improvements

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The Functional Movement Systems (FMS) screen is a system of screening individuals (athletes and non-athletes!) to gauge their movement capabilities so they can "play to their strengths and work on their weaknesses." The FMS philosophy is to move well, THEN move often.

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So often athletes, who may be squatting with their knees caving in, are told to start lifting or starting training and then they begin performing the same poor-quality movement patterns but under stress of weight or speed. This will not lead to good outcomes, both performance-wise and injury-wise!

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The FMS system breaks down movements into 7 patterns, and then I evaluate the athlete in each one, and score them on a scale of 0-3 (zero being pain, 1 being they could not perform the pattern, 2 being performed but not perfectly, such as having a left to right assymetry, and 3 being perfectly/meeting the criteria for a given pattern).

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The total score is not to be looked at as a pass/fail, but as a measure of which movement patterns need improvement. We can tell a lot about strength and mobility by which patterns could use improvement. I use that information from the screen to develop a plan that is specific for the individual or group.

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For example, I see a lot of core and upper body weakness in young female athletes. When I see a trend in a small group of athletes, I tailor their program to emphasize core engagement and upper body and shoulder stability, which is vital to a volleyball athlete.

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The 8 session training program is very progressive - starting with the basics and becoming more advanced as form improves. For example, I like to see quality jump-"loading" and soft landings before advancing the jump training.

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Check out the FMS website for more info, or contact me to set up an FMS Screen.