Athletic Performance Evaluations
As we grow and develop, especially of we are single sport athletes, we develop compensatory movement patterns that leave us with muscle imbalances, movement patterns that are inefficient and joint restrictions that in turn predispose us to injury.
The screening process we use is called The Functional Movement Screen (FMS). The FMS is made up of seven tests that look at fundamental movements. We use the word fundamental because these movements are not simply the foundation for athletic movements, they are the foundation for human movement. These movements relate closely to the movements infants and toddlers use to train themselves to move, turn, twist, walk, climb, crawl and reach.
The Functional Movement Screen is simply a way to demonstrate how athletes who have elite strength, power, speed, agility, and sport skills may have fundamental flaws that do not show up on a stat sheet. These types of limitations lead to poor efficiency, potential for injury and decreased performance. Read more about Skill, Function and Foundational movement patterns.
While a certain number of contact injuries are unavoidable, non-contact injuries have the potential to be prevented. The FMS is the first effective tool able to identify if an athlete is predisposed to a non-contact injury, and to give a path to resolving those issues. Until recently little energy has been focused toward the study of prevention of athletic injuries. As a result, there has yet to be a significant decrease in the number of injuries occurring at any level of sport. Through screening, an athlete can identify the predisposing factors, and take action to prevent injury and increase performance.
The Functional Movement Screen comprises seven tests that assess:
- Bilateral, symmetrical, mobility of the hips, knees, and ankles, and bilateral, symmetrical mobility of the shoulders as well as the thoracic spine.
- Bilateral mobility and stability of the hips, knees, and ankles.
- Bilateral mobility and stability, as well as ankle and knee stability.
- Bilateral shoulder range of motion combining internal rotation with adduction and external rotation with abduction.
- Active hamstring and gastroc/soleus flexibility, while maintaining a stable pelvis.
- Trunk stability in the sagital plane while a symmetrical upper extremity motion is performed.
- Multi-planar stability while a combined upper and lower extremity motion is performed.
The tests are scored out of a total score of 21. Preliminary research results indicate that scores of less than 15 correlate to a significant increase in missed work due to injury.
After the tests are completed, an exercise program designed to correct dysfunction is compiled and the athlete is instructed in the application of their specific exercise program.
Individual Screening and exercise prescription is $200 including the exercise equipment needed for the application. The process takes about an hour. Please call to schedule.
Team Screening and exercise prescription is $150 per athlete for teams of 10 or more athletes including the exercise equipment needed for implementation of the exercise program that follows. Each athlete will have to make a separate appointment for exercise instruction at a later date, but the initial team screening can be completed with the team together at one time in our clinic. There is a $300 surcharge for screening at your practice field ( i.e.if we come to you)
Both individuals and teams will have access to their exercise programs on our website. Re-testing should occur on a periodic basis, every 6 to 12 weeks) to update and modify the exercise program. This can be accomplished on an individual basis, or on a team basis.
The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) was designed by Gray Cook and Lee Burton and has been used by them to screen many of the top athletes in the world.
Call (425) 643-9778 or link here to schedule an appointment today.
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