FMS Level 1 key terms

A screening system of seven fundamental movement tests scored 0 to 3, used to identify mobility and stability limitations and asymmetries in individuals without known pain or injury.

A coordinated sequence of joint actions and muscular efforts producing a recognizable task such as squatting or stepping; FMS evaluates quality of these patterns rather than isolated strength.

The 0-3 ordinal grading applied to each screen: 3 indicates perfect performance, 2 indicates compensation, 1 indicates inability to complete the pattern, and 0 indicates pain during the test.

An alternative movement strategy used to complete a task when the preferred pattern is restricted, such as a heel lift during the deep squat or trunk rotation during the shoulder mobility test.

The distinction between available range of motion at a joint or region and the ability to control that motion under load; FMS interpretation weighs which side of this balance limits a pattern.

A bilateral squat with arms overhead and feet flat on the floor, using a dowel held overhead; it screens symmetrical hip, knee, and ankle mobility together with thoracic extension and core control.

Loss of contact between the heel and the floor during the deep squat, often indicating limited ankle dorsiflexion or hip mobility; a heel lift caps the score at 2 when the board is not used.

The three reference contacts used in overhead tests: the dowel touching the head, upper back, and sacrum; loss of any contact in the deep squat signals a limitation, commonly thoracic extension or shoulder mobility.

A single-leg stepping test over a dowel set at the height of the tibial tuberosity, with the dowel held across the shoulders; it screens stance-leg stability and step-leg hip mobility.

The reference height for the hurdle, measured from the floor to the tibial tuberosity of the participant; the dowel is set at this height so the test is standardized to body size.

Elevation of the pelvis on the stepping side during the hurdle step, a compensation suggesting limited hip flexion mobility or inadequate stance-leg stability.

A split-stance lunge with the rear foot on a board, feet in line, and a dowel held vertically at the spine; it screens hip mobility, knee and ankle stability, and trunk control in a narrow stance.

The requirement that the rear knee touch the board just behind the front heel during the inline lunge; failure to make contact indicates limited hip extension or mobility, while contact loss is a compensation.

The ability to maintain balance and pelvic control while the legs are separated front to back, as tested in the inline lunge; it depends on hip and trunk stabilizers working together.

A bilateral reaching test measuring the distance between the fists when one arm reaches over the shoulder and the other reaches up the back; it screens shoulder and thoracic mobility.

The measured gap between the two fists in the shoulder mobility screen, compared against hand length to assign a score of 3, 2, or 1.

The reference measurement from the wrist crease to the tip of the middle finger; fist-to-fist distance within one hand length scores 3, within one and a half scores 2.

Control of the shoulder blade by the muscles that anchor it to the rib cage; limited scapular control can distort the shoulder mobility reach and is checked in the shoulder clearing test.

A supine test in which the participant lifts one straight leg while the other remains flat; it screens hamstring flexibility, hip mobility, and pelvic control without external assistance.

The starting foot position for the active straight-leg raise, with ankles relaxed and toes pointing up; it standardizes the test and prevents ankle position from influencing the result.

The ability to keep the pelvis and low back stable while a limb moves, as when the down leg stays flat during the active straight-leg raise; loss of control is a compensation.

A push-up pattern performed with the hands placed at specific positions relative to the shoulders and forehead, screening the ability to stabilize the trunk while the upper body moves.

The hand placement used in the trunk stability push-up: thumbs aligned with the forehead for men and with the chin for women, with lower placements used when the standard score is not achieved.

The ability of the torso and pelvis to resist unwanted motion during limb movement; it is the primary quality screened by the trunk stability push-up and the rotary stability test.

A quadruped test in which one arm and the opposite leg extend while the trunk stays level; it screens multi-planar trunk stability and coordination between the upper and lower body.

The requirement that the moving knee and elbow touch beneath the torso during the rotary stability test; failure to touch, or loss of balance, lowers the score.

A brief provocation movement performed after certain screens to check for pain that the primary test might not reveal; a positive finding changes the score to 0 and prompts referral.

A movement in which the participant places a hand on the opposite shoulder and lifts the elbow; pain during this maneuver indicates a shoulder problem and is recorded as a positive clearance.

A prone press-up performed after the trunk stability push-up; pain during extension indicates a spinal issue and results in a score of 0 for that screen.

A seated forward bend performed after the rotary stability test; pain during flexion is recorded as a positive clearance and the screen is scored 0.

Any screen in which the participant reports pain, whether during the movement or a clearing test, receives a score of 0 regardless of movement quality and should prompt further evaluation.

A difference in score or performance between the left and right sides of a bilateral screen; it is recorded separately and prioritized in interpretation because side-to-side differences may signal risk.

The practice of scoring each side of a bilateral test independently and using the lower score for the total, while noting the asymmetry for program planning.

The process of ranking limitations by severity, pain, asymmetry, and functional importance to decide which patterns to address first in an exercise program.

A 1 means the participant cannot complete the pattern even with compensation, while a 2 means the pattern is completed with a compensation; the distinction guides whether mobility or stability work comes first.

Screening identifies movement limitations in apparently healthy people and does not diagnose; assessment is a deeper clinical evaluation. FMS results inform programming but are not a medical diagnosis.