An appraisal of the Functional Movement Screen™ grading criteria – Is the composite score sensitive to risky movement behavior?

• On average, high scorers (>14 on FMS) had less spine and frontal plane knee motion.
• Substantial variation in spine and knee motion was seen with each FMS score.
• The FMS may not provide enough information to design injury prevention strategies.
• Movement screens should include relevant motions as grading criteria.
• Low FMS scores cannot be linked to movement impairments at an individual level.

ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between the composite Functional Movement Screen (FMS) score and performers' spine and frontal plane knee motion.DesignExamined the spine and frontal plane knee motion exhibited by performers who received high (>14) and low (<14) composite FMS scores. Participants' body motions were quantified while they performed the FMS.SettingBiomechanics laboratory.ParticipantsTwelve men who received composite FMS scores greater than 14 were assigned to a high-scoring group. Twelve age-, height- and weight-matched men with FMS scores below 14 were assigned to a low-scoring group.Outcome measuresComposite FMS scores and peak lumbar spine flexion/extension, lateral bend and axial twist, and left and right frontal plane knee motion.ResultsSignificant differences (p < 0.05) and large effect sizes (>0.8) were noted between the high- and low-scoring groups when performing the FMS tasks; high-scorers employed less spine and frontal plane knee motion. Substantial variation was also observed amongst participants.ConclusionsParticipants with high composite FMS scores exhibited less spine and frontal plane knee motion while performing the FMS in comparison to their low-scoring counterparts. However, because substantial variation was observed amongst performers, the FMS may not provide the specificity needed for individualized injury risk assessment and exercise prescription.