75Copyright 2015 Functional
Movement Systems and Gray CookUpper Body MCSPURPOSEThe vital measurement for crawling and climbing is single-limb competency.
In both crawling and climbing, one limb will be responsible,
or largely responsible, for advancement. This can be tested through motor control screening. The Motor Control Screen adopts the science and validity of the Y-Balance Test and the convenience of the FMS to add a layer of accuracy to testing basic motor control. The MCS gives you vital information on how you stabilize, balance and control your movement through single-limb competency. This is an important link between the FMS and an individual’s fitness/
capacity activities.
CLEARING EXAMSComplete wrist extension and horizontal adduction clearing exams before proceeding with the upper body MCS. If pain is experienced
during the clearance exams, do not proceed with testing and refer to a medical professional for further assessment.
Wrist Extension ClearingStart by having the person place the palms of their hands together and slowly lower your hands keeping your palms together. Stop the movement as soon as the palms start to separate. Place a dowel parallel to the floor. To pass the clearing exam there should be no pain and no greater than one hand width distance between the dowel and the base of the hands.
It is possible to fail this exam due to presence of pain or the lack of range of motion. Horizontal Adduction ClearingStart by having the person bring arm into 90 degrees of elevation and use other hand to pull arm across chest into horizontal adduction. The testis considered positive if the person reports pain.
This test does not have a range of motion component, and is only performed for provocation. 
