Forth Valley Football Academy- Latest News       14th January 2017

FMS screening added as sports science continues to evolve at Forth Valley

FMS screening for Academy athletes is the latest in a long line of new ventures at Forth Valley. Following on from the introduction of the multi-sport and mobility programme a new additional element of testing has added further strength to the sports science programme. The players were introduced to Functional Movement Screening for the first time as part of their twice yearly testing. Led by our partners Stirling University all players U11-17 were assessed using the FMS grading system as well as the usual speed (5m and 20m), stamina (yo-yo test) and power (CMJ) tests. FMS is the product of an exercise philosophy known as Functional Movement Systems. This exercise philosophy and corresponding set of resources is based on sound science, years of innovation, and current research.

Each player performed 8 exercises with a ranking and grading system that documents movement patterns that are critical to normal function. By screening these patterns, the FMS readily identifies functional limitations and asymmetries. These are issues that can reduce the effects of functional training and physical conditioning and distort body awareness and subsequently put a significant strain on a young player’s development within sport.

A score is generated for each player which will then be used to target problems and track progress as they progress through the Academy. This scoring system is directly linked to the most beneficial corrective exercises to restore mechanically sound movement patterns which the players can perform in the Academy environment during sports science sessions as well as at home.

The addition of the FMS testing will allow the Academy to track progress and to identify those exercises that will be most effective to restore proper movement and build stability and strength in each individual. This will be particularly useful through stages of growth and maturation where the volume, intensity and type of training can then be altered to suit individual needs. 

The partnership with Stirling University continues to go from strength to strength allowing players to experience a level of sports science unrivalled anywhere in the country. Significant additional investment and resource in the sports science area should ensure players are challenged accordingly at the right stages of their development. By introducing FMS screening the Academy hopes to be able to put individual programmes in place to address any physical issues a player may have at a young enough age to allow them to progress technically and tactically without the added difficulty of functional movement problems later in their development.

Thank you to the Stirling University sports science staff for the excellent professional delivery to our players.