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ASSESSMENT & SCREENING
Learn more about your movement patterns, mobility, stability, and symmetry through a structured functional movement screen.
Elevate offers Functional Movement Screen workshops and appointments for active people, athletes, teams, workplace groups, and community members across ages.
The goal is simple: better understand how you move and identify practical opportunities for training, movement, or further assessment.
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Strength, mobility, stability, coordination, and movement habits all influence how we perform everyday and athletic tasks.
The Functional Movement Screen, or FMS, uses a standardized series of movement patterns to help identify how someone moves well, where movement may be limited, and whether meaningful side-to-side differences are present.
The screen is not a diagnosis. It provides a structured starting point for movement-based decision-making.
The screen looks at movement from several angles rather than focusing on one joint, muscle, or isolated test.
See how your body organizes common movement patterns that require multiple areas to work together.
Explore where movement requires mobility, control, or stability to complete the pattern.
Identify meaningful differences between sides that may help guide future training or assessment.
Use screening information to help identify areas that may benefit from mobility, strength, control, or movement practice.
The Functional Movement Screen is designed to describe selected movement patterns.
It is not intended to predict with certainty who will or will not become injured.
Injury risk is influenced by many factors, including prior injury, training load, health, sport demands, sleep, recovery, exposure, and other individual variables.
FMS results are most useful when they help guide thoughtful movement, training, and follow-up decisions.
THE STANDARD FMS
Most Elevate FMS screenings use the standard seven-pattern Functional Movement Screen.
Additional tests may be added when appropriate for the participant, team, event, or screening goal.
Looks at whole-body movement requiring mobility, postural control, and coordinated lower- and upper-body positioning.
Explores single-leg control, balance, mobility, and coordination during a stepping pattern.
Challenges balance, control, mobility, and stability in a narrow split-stance position.
Looks at combined upper-body mobility through a standardized shoulder movement pattern.
Explores lower-body mobility and the ability to maintain control while one leg moves.
Looks at trunk control and the ability to maintain whole-body alignment during an upper-body movement task.
Challenges coordination, trunk control, balance, and stability during a multi-plane movement pattern.
FMS uses a standardized scoring system to describe how each movement pattern is performed.
The numbers are useful because they create a consistent way to communicate and compare movement findings.
But the goal is not to achieve a perfect score, earn clearance, or compete against someone else's result.
Individual patterns, side-to-side differences, pain, and the participant's goals can all be more useful than looking at a single total score by itself.
Screenings are typically performed by a physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, athletic trainer, or other qualified healthcare professional with appropriate training.
Discuss your activity, goals, and any relevant movement concerns before screening begins.
Complete the selected movement patterns using standardized instructions and positions.
Receive your scores and a verbal interpretation of the findings.
Discuss exercise ideas, training opportunities, retesting, or additional assessment when appropriate.
Depending on the screening format, participants will typically receive their results, verbal interpretation, and practical movement or exercise recommendations.
The screening professional may also discuss possible next steps based on your movement findings, goals, sport, work demands, or activity level.
For some people, the screen simply confirms areas that are moving well.
For others, it may identify a useful opportunity for additional mobility, strength, control, or assessment.
Pain changes the purpose of the screening.
The FMS is intended to screen movement, not diagnose the cause of pain.
If a movement reproduces pain, the screening professional will use appropriate judgment about whether to modify, stop, or continue other portions of the screen.
Pain may indicate that a more detailed clinical assessment or referral is a better next step than simply prescribing movement exercises.
WHEN MORE ASSESSMENT IS NEEDED
When pain or a more complex movement concern is present, the Selective Functional Movement Assessment, or SFMA, may be considered by an appropriately trained healthcare professional.
While FMS is designed as a movement screen, SFMA is a more detailed clinical movement assessment used with people experiencing pain.
At Mammoth Hospital, SFMA may be available through Physical Therapy or through an appropriate Elevate Ergonomics & Movement Analysis appointment.
The most appropriate next step depends on the participant, symptoms, clinical findings, and goals.
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There is no single required pathway after an FMS.
Your next step depends on what you learn and what you want to accomplish.
Use mobility, strength, stability, or movement exercises to work on identified opportunities.
Connect screening information with individual or group performance programming.
Consider SFMA, Physical Therapy, or another more detailed assessment when appropriate.
Connect with Sports Medicine, Primary Care, Physical Therapy, or another appropriate provider when symptoms or clinical concerns require medical evaluation.
Retesting is not required, but it can be useful after a period of focused training, mobility work, strength development, or movement practice.
Repeating the same standardized screen can help show whether movement patterns have changed over time.
The timing of repeat screening depends on your goals and the program you are following.
The FMS can be used across ages and activity levels when appropriate for the participant and screening setting.
Elevate commonly uses movement screening with:
Explore movement patterns that can inform training, performance, and seasonal preparation.
Learn more about mobility, stability, and movement for recreation and everyday activity.
Create a structured movement snapshot that can help guide age-appropriate training opportunities.
Bring a consistent screening process to groups during preseason or training periods.
Explore movement as part of workplace wellness, readiness, or physical-demand programming.
Participate through community screening events, workshops, or individual appointments.
Elevate can coordinate Functional Movement Screen workshops for teams, clubs, workplaces, and other community groups.
Common settings may include ski and snowboard teams, youth sports, workplace groups, performance programs, and community events.
The screening format can be adapted to the group's size, location, age, sport, work demands, and goals.
When appropriate, additional tests may also be incorporated alongside the standard FMS.
Ask About Group Screening Youth Sports + Elevate Explore Workplace
For athletes and active people, movement screening can help create a common starting point before strength, conditioning, or seasonal training.
FMS results may help a qualified professional decide where to focus movement preparation, mobility, stability, or strength work.
The screen itself does not determine sport readiness or provide medical clearance.
Explore Performance Sports Performance & Conditioning
Functional movement screening may also be incorporated into selected workplace wellness or physically demanding workforce programs.
In this setting, the goal remains to understand movement and identify appropriate opportunities for education, exercise, or further assessment.
FMS is not a fitness-for-duty exam, employment clearance, or determination of whether an employee can perform a specific job.
Explore Workplace
Participants looking for a more individualized experience can explore Elevate's Ergonomics & Movement Analysis appointments.
An individual appointment can provide additional time to discuss movement, activity, work, training, and personal goals.
When appropriate, the appointment may incorporate FMS, SFMA, or other movement assessment tools based on the participant's needs and the qualifications of the provider.
Functional Movement Screen workshops may also be offered through community wellness events, team programs, seasonal preparation events, workplace programming, or other Elevate partnerships.
These events can provide an approachable way to learn more about movement without committing to a full individual appointment.
A community Functional Movement Screen is not a physical therapy evaluation, medical examination, diagnostic test, or sports clearance.
The screen is most appropriate when the goal is to learn about movement patterns and guide wellness, fitness, or performance decisions.
Current pain, new injury, significant functional change, or other medical concerns may require a clinical evaluation instead.
A scheduled movement screen is not the right setting for an acute or potentially serious medical problem.
Seek appropriate medical evaluation for a new significant injury, inability to bear weight, major loss of strength or function, new numbness or weakness, severe or rapidly worsening pain, or other concerning symptoms.
Call 911 for symptoms that may represent a medical emergency.
Pricing varies depending on how the screening is offered.
Some community events may offer screening at no cost.
Team workshops, special events, and individual appointments may have program-specific or appointment-based pricing.
Check the specific registration or contact Elevate for current pricing information.
Individual or scheduled screenings may take place at:
Elevate Wellness & Performance121 College ParkwayMammoth Lakes, CA 93546
Screenings may also be offered at team locations, workplaces, community events, partner sites, or other appropriate settings.
The specific location will be included with registration or coordinated with the group.
Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to squat, step, lunge, reach, and move freely.
Athletic or supportive footwear is generally appropriate unless the screening professional provides different instructions.
Please tell the screening professional before beginning if you have current pain, a recent injury, recent surgery, activity restrictions, or another concern that may affect participation.
Individual tests may be modified, omitted, or stopped when appropriate.
CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES
Scheduled screenings, workshops, team events, and community opportunities can be listed below when available.
If no current screening appears, you can still contact Elevate about individual, future, or group options.
Ask About Screening
Contact Elevate if you are interested in an individual screen, future screening event, or bringing Functional Movement Screening to a team, workplace, or community group.
Submitting an inquiry does not register or confirm an appointment, workshop, or screening event.
Connect movement findings with strength, conditioning, and seasonal preparation.
Explore individual movement analysis, strength, and other wellness appointments.
Put movement into practice through strength, mobility, yoga, Pilates, and other community classes.
Explore other ways to learn more about movement, balance, strength, and performance.
Learn more about how you move, where you move well, and where opportunities exist.
Explore mobility, stability, control, and movement across fundamental patterns.
Use movement information to support training, performance, work, and active living.
Connect screening findings with programming, qualified professionals, and clinical care when appropriate.
The Functional Movement Screen, or FMS, is a standardized movement screen that looks at seven fundamental movement patterns.
It provides information about mobility, stability, movement quality, and asymmetry that can help guide movement and training decisions.
The standard Functional Movement Screen includes:
Deep Squat, Hurdle Step, Inline Lunge, Shoulder Mobility, Active Straight-Leg Raise, Trunk Stability Push-Up, and Rotary Stability.
Additional tests may be added when appropriate for the participant or screening setting.
No. The FMS is not a pass-or-fail test.
Scores provide a standardized way to describe movement findings, but the goal is to understand the individual patterns and use the information appropriately.
No. The FMS should not be used as a stand-alone injury prediction tool.
Injury risk is influenced by many factors, and movement screening provides only one piece of that larger picture.
Tell the screening professional if any movement causes pain.
Pain may change how the screen is completed and may indicate that a clinical assessment is more appropriate than movement or corrective exercise alone.
FMS is a movement screen used to understand movement patterns and guide wellness, fitness, or performance decisions.
SFMA, or Selective Functional Movement Assessment, is a more detailed clinical movement assessment used by appropriately trained healthcare professionals when pain is present.
Elevate FMS screenings are typically performed by physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, athletic trainers, or other qualified healthcare professionals with appropriate training.
Typically, yes. Depending on the screening format, participants may receive their scores, verbal interpretation, movement or exercise recommendations, and suggested next steps.
Repeat screening is optional.
It may be useful after a period of focused training, strength work, mobility work, or movement practice to see how patterns have changed.
Potentially. Elevate can work with teams, workplaces, clubs, and other community organizations to coordinate group movement screening.
The format may vary based on group size, age, location, sport, work demands, staffing, and goals.
When operationally feasible, Functional Movement Screening may be provided at team locations, workplaces, community events, or other appropriate partner sites.
Elevate will work with the organization to determine whether the space and logistics are appropriate for the planned screen.
Pricing depends on how the screening is offered.
Some community events may be free, while team workshops, special programs, or individual appointments may have specific pricing.
Check the current registration or contact Elevate for details.
Functional Movement Screening creates a structured starting point for understanding mobility, stability, symmetry, and movement patterns.
Use what you learn to guide training, movement, performance, or appropriate follow-up.
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