Elitetrack: Sport Training & Conditioning

The Functional Movement Screen is an assessment that got a lot of heat a few years when Vern and Mike Boyle argued about it’s effectiveness. My stance is closer to Vern’s as Mike’s responses were not very convincing. I was exposed to the FMS years ago when manuals were actually in paper format and experts were older than college graduates. During that time I was reading everything in the office
 
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i had to learn the FMS for Equinox when i worked for them for like 4 weeks before leaving. I did not like it at all. And the way they have clients do 1 or 2 correctional exercises per week and tell them that this will fix their deficencies is rediculus.

Great blog. We share very similar thoughts on the issue. I use my own FMS on new clients and athletes but I really see it as useful only for pointing out or confirming very gross movement deficiencies.

Check this out and tell me what’s so fundamental about some of these activities. Reminds me of a story my mom used to tell about a guy who would come to the hospital where she worked and complain he couldn’t do these very arcane movements or tasks when he otherwise functions perfectly normal (and in fact many people probably have the same ‘deficiencies’ but they’re too busy living and playing to notice).

I should come up with my own series of tests for power deficiency:

1) single leg lateral long jump over a cone
2) single arm snatch 1RM (that one’s for you Carl)...both arms of course to test for asymmetry
3) vertical jump off of a foam roller
4) 400m single leg bond for time

Whatever your position on the topic, distinguish between Movement Assessment and testing for Power deficiency.

I test for function (or dysfunction) before loading.
Testing for power is a whole nother subject.

In either case I offer that if you have been in the game long enough, you can pick up on either without fancy tools or methodology.

The value in assessing movement prior to implementing workload at the start of a seasonal / annual cycle being: “Dont load em up to blow em up”

As humorous the topic, there are idiots that need some standardized format / methodology to stop building the boneyard in back of their facilities.  Somewhere in all this is a ratio of;
need for assessment :  athlete level :  potential for overloading by overzealous coach

Dont throw the baby (assessment) out with the bathwater (Perform Better catalog, guru of the day…)

3) vertical jump off of a foam roller

Would that be while it is lying flat?  Or when it is balanced on end?  Ha,ha.

coachformerlyknownas… - 05 October 2008 12:18 PM

Whatever your position on the topic, distinguish between Movement Assessment and testing for Power deficiency.

I am distinguishing. They are clearly very different. That’s why I proposed my tests. If you are interested in the exact protocol I’m sending all the necessary equipment for $500. You’ll probably also want to sign up for the 2 week power deficiency assessment clinic that I’m giving. Call me for details on special pricing.

Nah, I am too busy down here in the swamp reconstructing the bridge I bought.  Havent eaten for a week but the protein from these beans I got from that guy the other day should cover the food needs.  Still, a glass of milk would go down great right…