Sport is a fluid, dynamic, challenging, unpredictable combination of movements all taking place in a chaotic environment. A sound functional assessment looks at the key elements that we can identify and measure and then matches those up with the physical competencies. Determine where each individual stands and design an appropriate training program that prepares for the demands of the sport. Not everyone is created equal, not everyone will start at the same place on the exercise progression continuum. That is where the assessment is most valuable, it helps to place the individual at the appropriate starting point based on their physical competencies. Use this as an advantage to meet individual needs. There should be little or no need for so called “corrective exercise” because the training is designed to take advantage of the individual’s strengths and minimize their weaknesses.
The actual assessment should not be sterile and artificial. It should incorporate a variety of movements in multiple planes that will give a clear picture of the athlete’s physical literacy. It is not designed to generate random numbers with no context and therefore no meaning. Count what counts and then make it count with appropriate training that provides measurable and visible results. Don't get caught up in nuance, cut to the chase. Determine key performance indicators. Assess exactly what needs to be assessed to determine the status of the individual relative to the key performance indicators. Periodically reassess to determine progress and gains in functional movement literacy. Modify training to reflect adaptation. At the conclusion of the training program based on the functional assessment you should have a highly adaptable athlete completely prepared to perform in the competition arena.
Mr. K
Vern, I respect you TREMENDOUSLY as a coach – this is why I read you blog on a daily basis. I learn a lot from your posts. However, this is one area where I disagree with you. There is building scientific evidence that screening people with the FMS, and using the appropriate corrective exercises will help to predict/reduce the risk of injury. The FMS was never meant to be an all-inclusive assessment tool. It’s simply a tool that can be used with other tools. You can do your “Functional Assessment” (whatever that is) AND the FMS at the same time. Corrective exercises can easily be incorporated into the dynamic warm-up and/or cool down. It DOES NOT take any extra time to do.
When you talk about “Functional Assessment”, I truly don’t know what you are talking about because it is very ambiguous. What Gray Cook has done is to SYSTEMIZE an assessment tool. You are the very one who always talks about the importance of “systems”, and about not just plugging in exercises in a haphazzard fashion. The FMS is not perfect, but it’s one of the first movement assessment tools that has been ORGANIZED and SYSTEMIZED, with clear directions for its use.
Vernon Gambetta
First Question: What are you trying to correct with the So-called corrective exercises?
FMS is not the only or the first attempt to systematize evaluation. Some of us have used various systematic screens for years to assess the athletes. He has done a great job of marketing!
Ryan West
Where would be a good staring point for an assessment for distance runners? More and more I am seeing the need to not only differentiate the program by mileage, intensity but also strength and flexibility. I’m not sure how to begin evaluating those for distance runners.
Mr. K.
Trying to correct movement patterns, and basic, fundamental human movements that many people today can no longer do.
My grandfather was of pure Japanese ancestry. One needs to squat down to use the toilet in Japan. His home had no chairs or sofas. Everyone sits on the tatami mats. Even when he was 90 years of age, he could squat down, and get up, “ass to ankles” with ease. Tell me how many people in America (even young kids or pro athletes) can do that with good mechanics?
I have many clients who can’t squat without their heels coming off the floor, knees caving in, and just plainly losing their balance and falling forward or on their behinds.
With corrective exercises, I have been able to improve their patterns, and, in time, they are able to do a squat properly. At this point, I start to load and progress the exercise. It’s the same with the lunging pattern. And, yes, it DOES carry over to the “real world” because now they are also able to jump and land properly, when before they could not – they would do it via compensations.