What is an Inline Lunge? Why do we assess this movement pattern? How does this relate to the quality of our functional daily movements?

The Inline Lunge Screen places the lower extremities in an inline split-stance position while the upper extremities are in a complimentary reciprocal pattern. This replicates the natural counterbalance the upper and lower extremities use to complement each other (such as during walking) and it uniquely demands spinal stabilization. This test also challenges hip, knee, ankle, foot mobility AND stability, while simultaneously challenging flexibility of multiarticular muscles (involving more than one joint) like the latissimus dorsi and rectus femoris.

Continuing our Functional Movement Screen (FMS) series, today we’ll cover the Inline Lunge. This marks the third of seven movement screens used as part of a scoring system to determine a body’s readiness to engage in higher level physical activities in the weight room and on the field. The FMS screen is NOT a training tool or exercise guide. It is comprised of movement patterns that require mobility and stability. These movements were specifically designed to place clients in positions where weaknesses, imbalances, asymmetries and limitations become noticeable by a trained fitness professional.