The Movement Competency Screen (MCS)

Summary

The Movement Competency Screen (MCS) is a diagnostic tool designed to assess an individual's ability to perform key movement patterns commonly used in strength training and rehabilitation. The MCS involves progressive tasks such as squats, lunges, jumps, and pushes, with increasing levels of intensity to gauge movement competency. The tool helps trainers and health professionals determine the most appropriate level of load for an individual, guiding tailored rehabilitation or training programs. By identifying an athlete's strengths and areas for improvement, the MCS helps ensure safer, more effective physical development.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Movement Competency Screen (MCS) is designed to assess an individual's ability to perform common movement tasks in strength training and rehabilitation.
• 😀 MCS helps sports and health professionals understand how a person performs tasks like squats, lunges, pushes, pulls, rotations, and more.
• 😀 The MCS includes tasks at different levels of intensity, from bodyweight movements to advanced plyometric exercises.
• 😀 The scoring system is based on five load levels: Level 1 (assisted bodyweight), Level 2 (bodyweight), Level 3 (external load at slow speeds), Level 4 (eccentric movements), and Level 5 (plyometric movements).
• 😀 The goal of MCS is to identify an individual's starting point for training or rehabilitation, using the level of load they can handle with good form.
• 😀 It is important to assess the individual's natural movement strategy, as they will move toward strength in the way that feels most comfortable to them.
• 😀 Individuals may require time to improve their movement competency; some may respond quickly to coaching, while others may need more time.
• 😀 Not all MCS tasks need to be performed. If an individual struggles with basic movements like squats, advanced exercises (e.g., counter-movement jumps) should be avoided to prevent injury.
• 😀 The MCS should guide the progression of training, ensuring that more dynamic movements (e.g., plyometrics) are only introduced when an individual is ready for them.
• 😀 The MCS is a tool to personalize strength training or rehabilitation plans, helping professionals prescribe safe, effective exercises based on an individual’s current abilities.
• 😀 The tool emphasizes that competency in each movement pattern should be achieved before advancing to more challenging tasks, ensuring safety and effectiveness in training.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the Movement Competency Screen (MCS)?

The MCS is designed to assist sports and health professionals in assessing an individual's movement competency, particularly in exercises commonly found in strength training and rehabilitation programs.

How is the MCS structured in terms of movement tasks?

The MCS includes a series of movement tasks that progressively challenge an individual's ability to squat, lunge, push, pull, rotate, bend, and perform single-leg squats, at varying levels of intensity.

What are the five loading methods used in the MCS scoring system?

The five loading methods are: 1) Assisted bodyweight, 2) Bodyweight, 3) External load at slow speeds, 4) Eccentric, and 5) Plyometric.

What does each MCS loading level represent?

Each loading level represents a degree of intensity for movement patterns, where level 1 is the least intense (assisted bodyweight) and level 5 is the most intense (plyometric exercises).

How should an individual be evaluated during the MCS?

An individual should perform each movement task, and the evaluator assigns a load level based on how competently the individual performs the movement. The evaluator considers the person’s natural movement tendencies and the load they can handle.

What is the recommended number of repetitions for each movement task in the MCS?

It is recommended that individuals perform between 2 to 10 repetitions for each task, with the specific number being influenced by the individual’s capacity and capability.

Can all movement tasks in the MCS be performed by everyone?

No, not all tasks need to be performed by an individual. If someone struggles with basic movements like a bodyweight squat, they should not attempt more dynamic tasks such as counter movement jumps, as it may lead to injury.

How should a coach or clinician approach correcting an individual’s movement during the MCS?

While immediate corrections can be made during the test, the coach or clinician should consider the individual’s natural movement strategy and not force changes on the spot, as movement competency may improve with practice over time.

When should dynamic or bodyweight-plus movements be introduced in the MCS?

Dynamic or bodyweight-plus movements should only be introduced if the individual demonstrates competency in the basic movement pattern (e.g., bodyweight squats) and can handle the increased intensity of these exercises.

What does the MCS help trainers and clinicians determine?

The MCS helps trainers and clinicians determine the appropriate loading level and progression for an individual’s training, whether focusing on building foundational strength or moving towards more advanced plyometric or eccentric exercises.