Research has already shown that reliable risk factors exist within the neuro- musculoskeletal system, but we need to gather these risk indicators with objective and consistent documentation and communication. We can do this now, because through basic screening and statistical analysis we can track people participating at different activity levels in different populations.
Used properly, the Functional Management Systems— this umbrella we use for both the FMS and the SFMA— enhances communication. If applied reliably, it creates usable data across general and specific populations. Those in direct contact with athletic and exercising populations will be able to make informed decisions and recommen-dations, decisions that can potentially reduce the musculoskeletal risks associated with increased activity. If the risks are present, the professional can recommend corrective measures as part of the progress toward increased activity.
Early detection of musculoskeletal problems gives us a greater advantage in reducing dysfunc-tion and disability that can accumulate with poorly managed or unmanaged problems. Screening may not produce symptoms, but may show faulty move-ment patterns associated with elevated risk. This creates a second opportunity to prevent injury.
Unmanaged problems force the neuromuscular system to compensate in the presence of both pain and dysfunction. This compensation often hides the primary problem and creates secondary problems, which complicate matters and prolong activity limitations.
As more fitness professionals participate in the gatekeeper role of musculoskeletal treatment, we must look for consistent methods and screening processes that enhance communication and in-crease the reliability of detecting undiagnosed or potential musculoskeletal problems. This calls for the highest level of professional responsibility and objectivity.
Medical science has screening processes that help detect disease and dysfunction and allow us to observe potential risks in the early stages.
But often we do not manage the musculoskeletal system appropriately until injury, dysfunction or disease cause symptoms. We are not proactive with the largest functioning system in the body, while we are constantly improving screens created for early disease detection in other body systems.
Potentially, extensive problems lie ahead. We have specialists from different backgrounds func-tioning as guides for musculoskeletal problems, yet we have no consistent screening tool to
com-municate effectively. We also have not properly identified risks in the musculoskeletal system to the extent we have in other organ systems.
The goal of Functional Movement Systems is to pull together those now participating in all facets of medicine, rehabilitation, athletics, fitness, wellness and performance enhancement. These disciplines have opportunities to prevent musculoskeletal problems and injuries, rather than to respond and react when these occur.
By instituting safe and reliable screenings, our clients and patients will enjoy a reduction in in-juries and musculoskeletal problems. We will also be able to increase our skill at early detection of potential problems in those unaware they possess injury risks with increased physical activity.
The information collected from screening and assessment can create research data and real- world practical data to improve our professional development.
Please see www.movementbook.com/chapter1 for more information, videos and updates.
Overview of the FMS Goals
There is an inseparable interplay between struc-ture and function as it pertains to movement— a movement matrix. Certainly, we can discuss functional movement without discussing the internal framework that supports it. Likewise, we can discuss anatomical structures without considering that each small segment somehow contributes to every movement we perform. In functional movement screening and assessment, we don’t focus on the structure, but we still need to be aware of its properties. We will first review structural interconnections and then dive deeper into functional movement.
The body’s tissues complement and support each other in a multitude of movements and posi-tions, and its system of muscles perfectly trusses three- dimensional spiral and diagonal movement.
Skilled dissectors appreciate how the nature of one structure is completely dependent on its sup-porting and opposing structures. The muscles and joints the system sustains are practical representa-tions of first-, second- and third- class levers.
Every joint benefits from the relationship of its supporting and movement- producing muscles.
Noting the attachment points of muscles, early engineers referred to muscles based on their pull point on the bone and the distance from the joint axis as shunt or spurt muscles.
• Shunt muscles compress or produce structural integrity to the joint because the muscle’s distal attachment is far from the moving joint.
• A spurt muscle has the mechanical advan-tage to produce movement since it has a distal attachment close to the axis of rotation.
Kinesiology is the study of the muscles, their attachment points and the basic action of each muscle, but this superficial study only scratches the surface. In this view, the brachialis is considered
a spurt muscle, and the brachioradialis a shunt muscle. Of course, this assumes that the dumbbell curl demonstrates the mechanical role of each. The singular perspective is not representative of reality.
If we review the chinup, the rule is broken and the situation inverted. The muscles change roles responding both mechanically and with neuromuscular accommodation as they perform the task, unaware of the academic classifications.
In one example, the hand moves to the fixed body and in the other, the body moves to the fixed hand.
Shunt and spurt muscles are present, but the roles are an interplay between their structures and the situations in which they function. The result is muscles that complement each other regardless of the action. They perform the necessary task whether or not they carry the correct moniker.
Through motor learning and development, the brain has learned to organize muscle synergy and contribution to familiar activities. The conscious brain does not act alone. It is supported by an au-tomatic system of reflex activity with involuntary adjustments occurring in the background of every intended movement. This is possible because the sensory system constantly monitors our real- time movement to the intended movement pattern.
We don’t really think about our muscles, we think about movement and our muscles act in accor-dance with our intensions and automatic support system. This is the single most important reason that movement training does not intentionally try to direct a client’s or patient’s focus onto a particular muscle group. When we focus on a single muscle group, we demonstrate that we do not understand the supporting matrix behind superficial muscle action.
Many people would like to have a spreadsheet of stabilizer and prime mover muscles, but what most fail to realize is the role of the muscles often