500 FMS screens in 10 hours :)

I recently screened roughly 500 youth soccer players, I got some great info. The ages were:

u-13 boys and girls

u-14 boys and girls

u-15 boys and girls

u-16 boys and girls

u-16 boys and girls

u-17 boys and girls

These were all high level players affiliated with the ODP program in MA.

We recorded previous injury history, as well as any type of growth related injuries, ie osgood, severs, etc..

Each group had 35-50 kids in it.

Some interesting findings off the top of my head, these are in no specific order:

-tons on concussions, every team had a minimum of 3 players

-a fair amount of separated shoulders and ac joint issues

-lots of anterior compartment syndromes and lumbar stress fractures which to me means OVERTRAINING

In every group there were at least 3 kids with osgood schlatters or severs disease.

In younger girls ( pre-pubescent ) the hurdle step showed lumbar hyper extension present during the step and poor hip stability on the opposing leg. The scores seemed to improve with older girls.

The DS scores were higher in pre- pubescent male players. Several players that were more mature scored poorly and we had many 0's given due to lower back pain in the DS, not good IMO

The HS showed similiar movement patterns in all soccer players, externally rotated femurs, poor ankle mobility. Better stability was present in older more mature athletes and younger athletes scored worse. Also, I think I had maybe 5 scores of 3/3 the whole day.

ASLR was very up and down as far as scoring went. It was weird, this seemed the most inconsistent as far as scoring goes. I couldn't see a pattern as well with this but once I dig deeper I may see patterns

RS- maybe 4 3/3's all day, lots of 2/2's. The ability to move opposing limbs while stabilizing the spine was poor in general

Same goes for Inline lunge, lots of 2/2's but not many 3/3. The scored were higher in pre-pubescent kids while lower in older athletes. Once these kids hit puberty, there movement goes to crap, plain and simple.

TSPU scores were obviously lower in younger athletes. A surprising number of mature male athletes cannot connect the core with the upper body...not good

SM was better in pre-pubescent kids overall, the males scored lower once matured and their wasn't much of a drop-off in females.

The highest score of the day was 19

Very interesting :)

Can you write up a program for me?

When I meet people and they know what I do for a living, this is what happens.

New Person- You are a strength coach, can you write me a program? I have been stuck lately and I am not sure what to do. Can you help?

Me- Yes, I can help. I need some background information. First, we should set up a time for an evaluation.

New Person- Well, can't you just write me some exercises to do and maybe some cardio.

Me- No I can't, I have no idea on your medical history, injury history, medications, bad habits, lingering injuries, your current workout routine, your sleeping habits, your diet, your alcohol consumption, whether you smoke or not and how much time you have to dedicate to the gym. We also need to do a functional movement screen to address weak links, imbalances etc.

New Person- Wow, that's a lot, I am not sure I have the time.

Me- That's ok with me, you can go buys Mens Health or search Google for 'Best routine to get jacked '.

This is reality folks, people want the quick fix, the short cut. There are not too many people that actually want to do the necessary things to move better, feel better and look better. It's too much for them. They are lazy, maybe not lazy with their job or family, but lazy when it comes to working out. This is why people always ask trainers if they can write a routine for them.

I don't have a problem writing a routine for them once I evaluate them and teach them the proper way to execute the exercises on their own. Then, for a fee, I will write them a routine. I am a professional and it takes time and knowledge to write a program. If you don't want to pay for it, you want to take the easy way out and don't really want to move better, feel better and look better then, like I said, buy a magazine or go on the internet.

I want you to try this out. Set up an appointment with a brand new Doctor and say this verbatim.

"Doc, I know we just met but I am gonna need some vicodin, oxycontin, flomax, viagra, celebrex, lomotil, accutane and some GHB."

My guess is that he is gonna think you are two sandwiches short of a picnic. He should not prescribe you anything until he gets your medical history and performs a physical. If he does prescribe you the drugs mentioned above, he may not be a legit doctor or he likes breaking the law.

This happens with trainers as well. A good trainer should not just write up a program for you. He/she should evaluate you, look at your goals, perform some type of movement screen and then decide what the best path is for you.

If a trainer/strength coach does not do any of this and the first exercise they do with you is the nautilus leg adduction or rear deltoid machine, please run for the hills!

The Ultimate warm-up- The Skill of Strength 20/20 Movement Prep

This warm-up is simple. 20 exercises, 20 reps and it takes roughly 20 minutes.

This prep was designed to improve mobility, flexibility, increase work capacity and improve muscular endurance. It was based off of 100's of FMS screens and the goal is to address weak links and imbalances commonly found in athletes. This is a great prep for anyone that wants to move better and feel better.

Enjoy and please comment!

Note: The video is in 3 parts since its 20 minutes long.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3