Which movement is NOT a component of the Functional Movement Screen?

• A. Sit-ups
• B. Deep squat
• C. Rotational stability
• D. Shoulder mobility

Answer: (A)

The movement tested here is about evaluating how well the body moves as a coordinated whole through multi-joint patterns, rather than isolating a single muscle action. In the Functional Movement Screen, the seven patterns focus on mobility and stability across major joints and movement planes: a deep squat to assess hip, knee, ankle mobility and overall control; a shoulder mobility test that checks shoulder flexibility and thoracic spine movement; and a rotary (rotational) stability pattern that looks at anti-rotation and trunk control during combined limb movements, among others. Sit-ups, while a common core exercise, aren’t part of these seven movement patterns. The screen uses a trunk stability push-up to gauge core stability while maintaining a neutral spine, which aligns with evaluating movement quality and control rather than isolated spinal flexion. So, sit-ups do not belong to the Functional Movement Screen, while the others are included components.