What do we assess and why?
Assessment and regular qualitative testing are important pieces of our approach to fitness and lifestyle development at The Power House. The continuum shown here lists a variety of measurements that we often test. Our assumption is that if everything we can measure about health will conform to this continuum then it seems that sickness, wellness, and fitness are different measures of a single quality: health
Functional Movement Screen: What is It?
The FMS is a tool used to identify functional movement asymmetries in work, sport, and daily activities. Used by professional sports organizations and strength and conditioning coaches around the world, the FMS identifies imbalances in mobility and stability during seven fundamental movement patterns, listed below:
- Deep Squat
- Single Leg Balance
- Split Squat
- Active Straight-leg Raise
- Front Leaning Rest
- Rotary Stability
- Shoulder Mobility
Functional Movement Screen: How Does it Work?
The seven movement patterns are scored from 0-3 points, with the sum creating a score ranging from 0-21 points. Individuals who score less than 14 points on the FMS screen present greater odds for sustaining a non-contact related injury, so improving these scores would take a high priority for their training plan. Scores above a 14 indicate that those individuals are less prone to injury. Those scoring above a 14 may still show imbalances from side to side or score lower on certain tests, so specific attention will be placed on improving those areas. At The Power House, we use a person’s FMS score to generate a customized program of corrective exercises. Our athletes who regularly work on their corrective exercises and improve their FMS scores have shown great progress in developing their range of motion, functional movement patterns, and overall body awareness.
The InBody Test
Body composition is a method of describing what the body is made of. It includes fat, protein, minerals, and body water. A number on a bathroom scale can only tell you so much, whereas an InBody scan will give you an accurate look at body fat, lean muscle mass, basal metabolic weight, water retention and muscle mass in your arms, legs and trunk. Once you know these biometrics, you are better able to formulate a plan based on what you need to help you achieve the results you are looking for and have a much more nuanced understanding of what progress looks and feels like. InBody tests cost $35 for one or $100 for four, and we recommend testing quarterly.