Abstract
The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a screening tool that identifies dysfunctional movements in seven test items requiring an interplay of cognitive, perceptual, proprioceptive, and motor functions that involve muscular strength/endurance, flexibility, mobility, coordination, and balance. The results of the FMS include an overall composite score, scores on the individual test items, and identification of compensatory movement patterns and left-right asymmetries on 5 bilateral test items. Although there is a plethora of literature on the use of the FMS in adults, there is a growing body of evidence indicating its use in children. The available research in children involves school children and young athletes in at least 20 different sports in over 20 countries and comparisons between pre- and post-pubescent children, and normal weight, overweight, and obese children. Studies that include measures of adiposity and physical activity levels, or report prevalence of asymmetries and dysfunctional movement patterns are not well represented in the children’s literature. The purpose of this paper is to synthesize the currently available literature in children and suggest potential uses of the FMS by coaches, physical educators, and other health/fitness professionals, appropriate interpretation of results, and future research in children.
Highlights
The observational assessment of fundamental movement skills should not be confused with the objective assessment of functional movements by the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) that scores the quality of the movement and identifies dysfunctional and asymmetrical movement patterns
In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of studies that have used the FMS to screen for dysfunctional movements in children and adolescents
Some studies are more informative than others since many lack complete disclosure of data, such as sex of the participants, scores on individual test items, prevalence of dysfunctional scores and asymmetries, sex differences in scores, and measures of adiposity
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends that older adults include neuromotor exercise training at least 2–3 days per week [3]. This type of training involving motor skills (e.g., balance, agility, coordination), proprioceptive exercise training, and multifaceted activities (e.g., yoga and tai ji) that improves and maintains physical function and reduces the risk of falls [3]. Participation in various types of structured and unstructured activities can contribute to the neuromotor development of children, there does not appear to be specific recommendations for neuromuscular exercise training for youth [9] as there are for adults [3]. We will suggest appropriate interpretation of FMS assessments and future research in children
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