Human movement can be viewed through a simple lens: how effectively and efficiently force is managed. Every movement – whether walking, running, or lifting – involves forces being (a) produced within/applied to the body (b) transmitted through it and (c) redirected back into the environment. The term “kinetic chain” is often bandied around in the rehab & performance world, but it speaks to a key biomechanical concept – that the human body is a complex system of connected segments designed to handle this flow of force when producing movement.

Therefore, when it comes to profiling athletes, rather than purely focusing on individual muscles in isolation, a general movement assessment considers how this complex system works together to handle these demands, and, as practitioners, this gives us the initial clues to the efficiency and apprehensiveness of these movement patterns.

That’s where the E-FMS comes in…

The Movements

The key movements observed within the E-FMS include a toe touch in the sagittal plane, an overhead reach, a frontal plane side bend, and transverse rotation. Together, these offer a broad overview of how the system handles movement across all three planes. They serve as an entry point into the objective assessment, helping to highlight where restrictions or compensations may exist and guiding where to focus next.

For this reason, assessment extends beyond the site of pain. Symptoms in one area, such as the knee, are often influenced by how force is being managed elsewhere in the system above and below.

The Assessment

Assessment typically starts from the ground up: feet, pelvis, ribs…

The feet are the first point of contact and provide key information about how someone interacts with the ground. The foot needs to fulfil two roles: absorbing force on contact and then becoming a rigid lever for push-off. During assessment, the focus is on whether this transition from mobility to stiffness occurs effectively. If it does not, force is often poorly managed and compensations appear further up the chain.

The pelvis acts as a central point for force transfer between the lower and upper body. During gait and other movements, it should be able to rotate, tilt, and shift in a controlled manner. A key part of assessment is determining whether these movements are available and well-coordinated. When pelvic control is lacking, force is often redirected into less optimal areas such as the lumbar spine or knees, increasing mechanical stress and often presenting as pain or restriction.

The rib-cage adds another important layer. It works in coordination with the pelvis, particularly in rotation during gait, moving in opposite directions to help manage momentum and maintain balance. The rib-cage also plays a key role in pressure regulation through its relationship with the diaphragm. The diaphragm is not only a breathing muscle but a central component of force management. By controlling intra-abdominal pressure, it helps create a stable yet adaptable trunk, allowing forces to be transferred efficiently between the upper and lower body. During assessment, this is reflected in how well someone can coordinate breathing with movement, maintain trunk control, and avoid excessive tension or collapse through the system.

Interpretation

When viewed as a whole, the body functions as a linked mechanical system. Force enters through the foot, travels up the leg, is transferred through the pelvis, and distributed through the trunk and rib-cage. The E-FMS focuses not just on range of movement, but how it is achieved – where mobility exists, where stiffness is present, and whether that balance is appropriate for the task.

Forming part of our holistic assessment framework, the E-FMS provides a controlled environment to observe movement strategies and identify potential limitations that may become more apparent at higher speeds or under greater load. It also offers insight into how comfortable or uncomfortable someone is moving without overthinking – essentially how capable they are of moving freely and without apprehension.

Summary

Ultimately, effective movement is less about isolated joints & muscles and more about how well the body manages force across the entire system. When these components work together efficiently, movement becomes more coordinated, loads are better tolerated, and the risk of overload or injury is reduced.

In Part 2 of this blog we’ll be applying a ‘See, Interpret, Do’ or ‘SID’ approach to the E-FMS, offering a practical framework of how to observe the test, understand what you see and, most importantly, do with the results.

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At Elevate: Speed & Rehab, we specialise in Performance Rehab for athletes dealing with ACL, hamstring, calf, ankle, hip & groin injuries; helping you reduce recovery time and get back performing at your best, and beyond. Whether you’re an athlete looking for expert sports rehabilitation, or a coach or physio wanting to develop your practice, we’ve got you covered. Find out more by clicking here