Functional Movement Screen (FMS) — Overview

The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) rates fundamental movement quality across seven tasks, each scored 0–3 (3 = clean, 2 = completes with compensation, 1 = cannot complete, 0 = pain during the movement). Maximum composite = 21.

The seven tasks:

1. Deep squat
2. Hurdle step
3. In-line lunge
4. Shoulder mobility (with an impingement clearing test)
5. Active straight-leg raise
6. Trunk-stability push-up (with a press-up clearing test)
7. Rotary stability (with a posterior rock-back clearing test)

Use: identify limitations and left/right asymmetries to target with corrective exercise, and screen before loading. A pain (0) on any task should be referred for evaluation. Asymmetries (different scores left vs. right) are emphasized regardless of total.

Evidence caveat: the once-popular composite ≤ 14 = elevated injury risk cut-point has weak/inconsistent predictive validity in research and should not be used as a standalone injury predictor. The FMS is best treated as a movement-quality screen informing programming, not a diagnostic or strong injury-prediction tool. (predictive-validity claims are contested)

• 7 tasks, each scored 0–3 (0 = pain); composite max 21; 3 clearing tests included.
• Tasks: deep squat, hurdle step, in-line lunge, shoulder mobility, active SLR, trunk-stability push-up, rotary stability.
• Emphasizes asymmetries and pain (refer on any 0).
• The ≤14 injury cut-point is not reliably predictive — use FMS to guide corrective work, not to predict injury.

• y-balance-test — companion movement/balance screen.
• baseline-assessment-battery — where a movement screen fits in a battery.
• muscle-balance-injury-prevention — corrective rationale.
• flexibility-benefits — mobility tasks within FMS.