Physical therapy involves active participation on the patient’s part for not only the evaluation and treatment phase, but also with injury risk and prevention.  The professionals at Midlothian Orthopedic and Sports Therapy (MOST), in conjunction with Athletes Complete Training Source (ACTS), administer the Functional Movement Screen (FMS™) to assess potential range of motion, stabilization, and balance deficits.  Mobility and stability extremes are evaluated to expose asymmetries and limitations that may predispose the athlete/patient to injury.

The four tests that we at MOST/ACTS administer include:

1. Deep Squat: assesses functional mobility of the hips, knees and ankles
2. Hurdle Step: examines stride mechanics during walking/running
3. In-Line Lunge: tests hip/trunk mobility and stability, quadriceps flexibility, ankle and knee stability
4. Quadriped Rotatory Stability: grades core stability/strength

A recent study published in the North American Journal of Sports Physical Therapy (August, 2007) suggests that athletes with dysfunctional movement patterns, as assessed by the FMS™, are more likely to suffer time-loss injury during the season. Therefore, information gleaned from these tests can be incorporated into the athlete’s/patient’s training/treatment program.