Movement Functional Movement Systems: Screening, Assessment, Corrective Strategies

by Gray Cook;Lee Burton;Kyle Kiesel;Greg Rose;Milo F. Byrant

Movement is a vivid discovery, a fundamental and explicit teaching in which the return to basics takes on a whole new meaning. In it, author Gray Cook crosses the lines between rehabilitation, conditioning and fitness, providing a clear model and a common language under which fitness and rehabilitation professionals can work together. By using systematic logic and revisiting the natural developmental principals all infants employ as they learn to walk, run and climb, Gray forces a new look at motor learning, corrective exercise and modern conditioning practices. The discoveries, lessons and approaches you'll learn * How to view and measure movement quality alongside quantity * How to ascertain dysfunctional patterns with the Functional Movement Screen * What clinicians need to know about the Selective Functional Movement Assessments * When to apply corrective strategies and how to determine which strategies to use * How to map movement patterns and understand movement as a behavior and not just as a mechanical idea This book is not simply about the anatomy of moving structures. Rather, it serves a broader purpose to help the reader understand authentic human movement, and how the brain and body create and learn movement patterns. Our modern dysfunctions are a product of our isolated and incomplete approaches to exercise imposed on our sedentary lifestyles. A return to movement principles can create a more comprehensive exercise and rehabilitation model, a model that starts with movement.

Genres: Fitness, Health, Nonfiction, Physical Therapy, Bodies, Self Help, Science

408 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 2010

Reviews

[Paul, · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book by Gray Cook had some really good insights on Movement and the human body. I'm not sure that I agree with all of them, but his success in real world coaching speaks louder than words. Unfortunately, this is a terribly written book. Gray will defend that by saying that he is not teaching a program, but a model and a way of thinking. But the writing is repetitive, the structure of the book is jumbled, the use of technical terminology carelessly intermingled with casual language. The book is unclear and the reader walks away with pithy sayings instead of a mode. With a good editor and a rewrite, this book would be 40% shorter and a real gem in the fitness industry.

A few of my favorite quotes:
Stabilizers need to respond quicker than any other muscle group to hold position and control joint movement during loading and movement. This may be controversial, but here it is—Train stability with exercises that are more dynamic with the highest movement quality possible, and when dynamic quality cannot be achieved, revert back to static postures where alignment can be challenged. ... when movements are limited, stiff or sloppy, proprioceptive awareness cannot provide normal feedback. Movement influences proprioception, and proprioception influences movement. (p. 72)

The best resistance is the one that causes the problem to correct itself without verbal or visual feedback, like giving the simple command to lunge and don’t let me pull you off balance. (p. 59)

When we stretch, compress, foam roll or bend the stiffest and tightest parts, we tend to breathe poorly. We tense, and our breathing becomes shallow and even faster in some cases. We show our stress in our breathing, and this actually increases our tension and makes the mobility work ineffective or even counterproductive. Be very aware of this. We know better and still make this mistake, so don’t expect clients and patients to not slip into stress breathing—continuously observe and remind them of this. (p.539)
As you identify dysfunctional movement patterns, you should understand that for some reason or another these patterns have been learned and reinforced, or they would not be present. Furthermore, they must have some purpose or practicality for that individual. This means the brain you are getting ready to interact with has assigned value to a movement pattern with less-than-acceptable functional quality. A dysfunctional movement pattern is being used and repeated alongside other functional movement patterns. (p. 624)

Remind them to breathe; remind them to relax. Remind them a three-year-old can do it with much less effort, which is the key. Don’t fall, and use minimal effort to do it. The problem is that those who fail are so busy acting that they cannot feel. To say it differently, they are so busy behaving, they cannot perceive. Remind them that if balance is not automatic, it’s almost worthless. Tell them to control their breathing and relax the neck, shoulders and arms and just work it out. (p. 563)

[Jana Rađa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no idea when I first heard about Gray Cook and his FMS. It must have been several years ago but, at the time, it was still only in fragments. Nowadays, he is everywhere. Even when the name is not mentioned, if you are observant, you will recognise his methods and his logic in the work of coaches and physical therapists. That was the reason I decided to read the book. Need answers? Go to the source.

Movement: Functional Movement Systems is heaven. I didn't read it as a professional would, because I am not a coach or a physical therapist, but I did go through his philosophy quite carefully, and through his screens. I will probably go through Movement again at some point but I should first let it settle a bit. It is a big book, packed with information.

Gray Cook does not disappoint. It's everything I imagined it would be, and more. Movement: Functional Movement Systems is written beautifully. Despite being repetitive at times, Cook gets his points across without fail. Anyway, the only minus is the format I read it in. If I were a professional, I would ditch the Kindle version I got and invest in the paperback (despite the price). Kindle is fine for some books, just not this one. To really profit from Movement, some wear and tear is in order. Kindle just doesn't cut it.

[Davin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a kinesiologist and physiotherapist student and at one point, a university level track athlete, who has personally gone through an arduous rehabilitation effort to resolve chronic back pain. Having now used the movement FMS strategy on myself and on clients of mine, I believe that the theme of this book is invaluable, especially to kinesiologists, and personal trainers, as it can give you good direction to your rehabilitation programs. If you're reading this book, then you've likely attended the FMS/SFMA courses and are likely a proponent of the movement strategy to therapy. This book is a great supplement to the courses. It can be a little bit of a slog, but it's definitely worth it.

[Sally Lehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Good read to help me understand how and why I move in certain ways and how to move better without pain

[Anas Alrowaili · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book related to my field !

The book covers up the method of FMS screening and why it is important to implement for any PT, physiotherapist, sport science..etc

The author emphasizes looking at the movement as a whole rather than parts, why it's important to look at the body by joint by joint approach rather than just looking at the problem only, the author has segregated the move to functional, dysfunctional .. etc this segregation is very important to which give me a bigger clarity when I look at a movement and the way I can pinnpoint the issue. Beside that the importance of testing and retesting.

I must say this gave me a whole different perspective when it comes to sport implementation and uses. If I see someone do dysfunctional squat I have a different view on it but also I witnessed something which was magical to me, one of the methods used I was using by myself to fix the squat of my clients, that gave me a bit of pride.

I'll be taking the course and be certified by them after reading the book that for sure

4 out of 5

[BuleCar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gary's one of the best functional trainers on our planet. Some info like 4B scale has logical and empirical evidence, but is really hard usable in everyday practice environment. Env where clinets only want to see their outside physical improvement.

[Ahmed Alumran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gray Cook always does a great job explaining things that are way too complicated for most people to understand.

I do feel it was slightly repetitive and could’ve been shorter.

My favourite parts were the discussions and diagrams of FMS and SFMA

[M31 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Se ganaría la quinta estrella si hubiera desarrollado programación específica para los resultados más habituales del FMS. Pero indiscutiblemente es una obra maestra de la evaluación biomecánica.

[S. Legend · Rating 5 out of 5]

So why am I giving the book only one star? First, it droned on and on and was repetitive. I'd felt I'd already got it after I'd read the 1st book (I bought both together on the advice of a colleague and really wished I hadn't). Basically, everything from the first book was repeated with a bit more detail thrown in. Of course this book contains info on the further testing used for Physios only apparently (none of that is rocket science either, I see no reason an intelligent trainer couldn't use those tests). But the "added extras" are not enough to justify the over dbl cost of the first book. Just buy the first for $25 and skip this $60-$75 copy cat (unless you are a physio).

Second, FMS cannot be used for some of the more complicated cases. I know FMS ppl argue that it can, but I've had to use other testing in some of my more severe cases. FMS didn't make the cut. It is a BEGINNER'S GUIDE to corrective testing.

Third, some of the "corrective exercises" I just have to shake my head at. They don't even make logical sense half the time if you really know the body.

So I don't rec this book at all. Buy its $25 counterpart.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book is for systematic approach to mobility and stability issues, with a screening process

Functional Movement Systems - screening is a great tool to find issues with mobility /stability in movement patterns. Gray made an excellent job in explaining in details about why we are restricted in movement, how to figure out if we are restricted (screening ) and mainly what I really like, a systematic and simple approach.
A must read for movers, athletes, physiotherapists and coaches.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this book an extra star with each read. Cook has some great concepts and practical approaches for therapists to incorporate into their treatment process. I feel the book lacks some clarity and could benefit from some editing to create a more concise, guided and more readable version. I have covered the system in Sports Therapy and Physiotherapy university subjects and am only just starting to get my head around Cook's system.

[Trevor Pardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book, with a wealth of information, but this book could have been written in around 200 pages. There was a lot of repetition and over explanation. That said, there is a ton of information that I have to consider and integrate into how I currently do things.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A crucial turning point in fitness and movement

One of the best books on movement principles out there, the content develops a framework from which to understand movement learning. An essential read for all movement and fitness professionals. 5 stars

[Erin Bogar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for fitness and rehabilitation professionals. I love the FMS and I see so much value for my clients!

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a book of fitness philosophy or a pleasure-read. This is for use as a reference or a textbook.

[Aaron Hague · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book, a thorough look at training the human body. Can't recommend it enough.

[Bojan Avramovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gray Cook je bas zakomplikovao stvari koje su u biti veoma proste