What Is Functional Movement Screening (FMS)?
Functional Movement Screening (FMS) is a screening and assessment tool used to identify imbalances and dysfunctional patterns. It evaluates 7 basic patterns of movement (that require mobility and stability) by assigning from 0 (pain during movement) to 3 (perfect execution) points to each movement pattern, for a total score of 21.
The seven movements are
Deep Squat
Hurdle Step
In-line Lunge
Active Straight-leg Raise
Trunk Stability Push-up
Rotary Stability
Shoulder Mobility
Developed as part of the Functional Movement System with the diagnostic-oriented SFMA, FMS was designed to signal imbalances between mobility and stability as a potential indicator of injury risk.
Reliability & Validity
Reliability: Several studies have repeatedly shown good to excellent inter-rater and intra-rater reliability, meaning differently trained testers (and even those with relatively low levels of experience) can reliably score the FMS.
Validity (Predictive Value): Mixed. There is also a small evidence base implying that athletes scoring ≤14 are at increased risk for suffering time-loss injuries. For instance, Kiesel et al. found that professional footballers with low FMS scores were at higher risk of injury compared to those with high FMS scores. However, others have determined the predictive abilities of the FMS are questionable and that pain history has a stronger predictive value than FMS scores.
FMS in Practice
Aside from forecasting injuries, FMS is cherished as an effortless, uncomplicated evaluation system to use. It can assist professionals in creating corrective exercise plans, monitoring progress, and providing a movement baseline. It facilitates communication between caregivers and serves as a working tool to evaluate preparedness or shortfalls.
Intervention Programs & Score Improvements
Recent studies support the fact that structured exercise training programs are very effective at improving FMS scores, especially in “high-risk” athletes who score less than 13–14. Systematic review Various interventions (functional training, Pilates, core stability, and foot strengthening) consistently increased FMS scores.
The 2025 meta-analysis indicated that the benefits of various training methods resulted in moderate certainty improvements in FMS scores, increasing on average from approximately 1.7 to 2.9 points due to resistance training, neuromuscular training, core stability work, and integrated functional training.
Sport-Specific Validation and Emerging Research
In other circumstances, temporal FMS adjustments have been empirically tested. For instance, a version of the FMS specifically designed for tennis demonstrated good validity and reliability in evaluating functional limitations among tennis players.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How high should an FMS score be for an at-risk assessment?
In the majority of cases, a total score of 14 or less indicates increased risk of injury; however, there is no clear guidance when applied to all populations.
Q2: Is FMS predictive of injury?
The predictive power of FMS in injury is still contradictory. Some evidence supports its use as a flag for ‘at risk’ individuals, whereas other work suggests reliability and pain history may be stronger predictors.
Q3: What is the implication of a low FMS score?
Low scores would indicate compensatory movement strategies or mobility/stability impairments. This is not to say a back pain diagnosis is required but provides a blueprint for therapeutic interventions of all kinds.
Q4: Is exercise associated with an improvement in FMS scores?
Yes. Different types of correction programs-including core stability, functional training, Pilates or resistance exercises-successfully improve FMS scores, particularly among individuals who are at high risk Priority for research.
Q5: Is FMS the same as SFMA?
Answer: No, FMS is a screening tool to help predict injury risk, and movement deficiency (SFMA) is the diagnostic system to determine musculoskeletal pain.
Conclusion
Functional Movement Screening provides the user with a tool to assess movement competency in the fundamental movement patterns that compose our movement foundation. Despite its limited accuracy as an injury indicator, Functional Movement Screening (FMS) provides valuable insights for the development of corrective exercise programs and the enhancement of movement competency.
There is support that targeted interventions—CNS, functional, resistance, or integrative training—can improve FMS scores significantly, particularly in those originally designated “high-risk.” Emergent sport-specific adaptations and the immediate integration of FMS into athlete programming underscore the changing role of FMS.
In summary, FMS is most effectively utilized not as a magic crystal for crazypants but as a practical tool to inform assessments, correctives, and assess progressions in movements, allowing for athletes or professionals to use change and enforce safer, more effective movement.
