Functional Movement Screen

Movement quality matters. The way your body moves through fundamental patterns affects not only your performance but also your risk of injury over time. The Functional Movement Screen is a standardised musculoskeletal assessment tool that evaluates how you move through seven key movement patterns, identifying limitations, asymmetries and areas of weakness that may otherwise go unnoticed until they contribute to injury.

At Evolve Physiotherapy, we use the Functional Movement Screen as part of our functional movement assessment for active individuals, athletes, and those returning to physical activity across East Auckland.

What is the Functional Movement Screen?

The Functional Movement Screen, commonly referred to as the FMS, is a structured screening system consisting of seven fundamental movement tests. Each movement is scored on a simple scale, and the results are combined to produce an overall picture of movement quality and symmetry.

The screen is designed to identify the weakest link in a person’s movement system, whether that is mobility, stability or motor control, so that targeted corrective strategies can be put in place before problems develop or worsen. It is not a performance test but a movement quality assessment, making it relevant across a wide range of people and activity levels.

What is the Functional Movement Screen used for?

The FMS has a range of practical applications across injury prevention, rehabilitation and sports movement analysis, including:

• Injury risk identification by highlighting movement deficits and asymmetries associated with increased injury risk during training or physical activity, enabling proactive intervention.
• Return to activity screening for individuals who are returning to sport, exercise or a physically demanding job following injury, providing objective movement data to guide progression decisions.
• Baseline functional movement assessment for those beginning a new training programme, allowing movement limitations to be identified and addressed from the outset rather than compounding over time.
• Sports movement analysis for athletes who want to understand how their movement patterns may be affecting performance or contributing to recurring issues, with findings used to guide targeted corrective programming.
• Ongoing monitoring to track changes in movement quality over time in response to training, rehabilitation or corrective exercise programmes.

Who is the Functional Movement Screen suitable for?

The FMS is appropriate for a broad range of people, including recreational and competitive athletes, individuals with a history of recurring injuries who want to understand contributing movement factors, people returning to sport or physical work after injury, those returning to exercise after a period of inactivity and anyone wanting a clear picture of their movement quality as a starting point for training or rehabilitation.

What happens during a Functional Movement Screen?

The screen consists of seven movement tests, each straightforward to complete and requiring no special preparation. You will be guided through each movement by your physiotherapist, who will observe and score your performance and note any pain responses or significant limitations.

Following the screen, the results are discussed clearly with you and translated into practical recommendations. Where movement deficits or asymmetries are identified, a targeted corrective plan can be developed to address them as part of your broader training or rehabilitation programme.