1. What is Functional Movement?
Functional Movement is movement that we perform throughout our daily lives and activities. These movements mimic the way our bodies work—in multiple planes and with multiple joint actions that require sufficient muscle strength, stabilization and coordination.

2. Why use the Functional Movement Training Method (FMT Method)?
The Functional Movement Training Method is a sequential method of teaching that creates integrated learning experiences for all students. It provides a foundation that fundamental, functional and specialized movement skills can be built upon and supports the development of skill and health related fitness levels. Students that participate in a physical education program that is built upon the principles of the Functional Movement Training Method are provided with the necessary learning opportunities to develop into physically literate students.

3. What are the principles behind the Functional Movement Training Method?
There are 4 principles that support the Functional Movement Training Method. These principles are:

1. Development of proficiency in movement skill (Biomechanics),
2. Correction of dysfunction though increased movement efficiency (Rehabilitation),
3. Development of increased health and skill related fitness levels (Exercise & Fitness), and
4. Enhancement of movement skills for increased performance (Sport Performance).

4. How does the Functional Movement Training Method support the development of health and skill related fitness?
The Functional Movement Training Method is an integrated manner to teaching health and skill related fitness. Students are engaged in a variety of “functional movements” that support the development of biomechanically correct fundamental and specialized movement skills.

5. Is Functional Movement Training another unit of instruction?
No. The Functional Movement Training Method should be used in conjunction with the existing physical education curriculum to prepare the students for activity and further develop the skill and health related fitness levels of the students.

6. Is Functional Movement Training just another fad or gimmick for physical education?
No. The Functional Movement Training Method develops proficient movers through the teaching of fundamental movement skills in an individualized and developmentally appropriate manner. Gimmicks and fads are short-lived attempts to make change or advancement through unproven methods that fall out of favor quickly.

7. What grade level(s) should implement the Functional Movement Training Method?
We believe that the Functional Movement Training Method is age and developmentally appropriate for grade 2 and beyond, but the development of the Trinity (lunge, squat and scapular retraction) should begin in the first year of a student’s K-12 educational experience.

8. How does the Functional Training Method address a diverse student population?
The Functional Movement Training Method provides differentiated instruction that supports the successful development of fundamental and specialized movement skills. Through the use of progressions and the Rate of Perceived Challenge, students are able to choose developmentally appropriate levels of movement or exercises to attain increased levels of personal skill and health related fitness.

9. How do I implement the Functional Movement Training Method?
We recommend that all physical educators begin with the Trinity (lunge, squat and scapular retraction), the three foundational movements that students will build upon throughout their functional movement training experience. The next step, ADAPT (Alternative Dynamic Activity Preparation Training), will prepare students for daily activity and also assist in the development of proficient fundamental and specialized movement skills. ADAPT establishes the foundation from which you will be able to successfully support the implementation of Functional Movement Circuits that include elements of the Big Three in PE (the Components of Sport, Movement and Fitness).

10. Can I begin implementing the Functional Movement Training Method without functional training equipment?
Yes! While there are several pieces of functional training equipment that can be used to support the implementation and development of the Functional Movement Training Method, it is not necessary to have such equipment to implement the foundational levels. As students become more proficient in their movement, functional training equipment will provide students with the necessary overload for continued improvement.

11. Where can I learn about the Functional Movement Training Method?
There are two ways to learn about the Functional Movement Training Method:

1. Become a member of the Innovations 4 PE website. By becoming a member you have unlimited access to a variety of resources to support your understanding and implementation of the Functional Movement Training Method.
2. To develop an in-depth understanding of the Functional Movement Training Method, how to apply it to your specific curriculum, and support students in their attainment of skill and health related fitness, you can attend or host a professional development session. Jinguji Consulting, LLC provides high quality, sustainable professional development opportunities for teachers, coaches, and school districts. Please contact us for additional information.

12. What is the Rate of Perceived Challenge?
The Rate of Perceived Challenge was developed to support an independent learning environment where students participate and progress at a level that is appropriate for his/her individual skill and fitness needs. There are five levels that provide feedback to the students insuring accuracy in the amount of overload that they are experiencing while providing the ability to independently adjust the appropriateness of the exercise or activity.

13. What is the Trinity (lunge, squat, and scapular retraction)?
The Trinity represents the three essential movements (lunge, squat, and scapular retraction) that serve as the foundation from which the Functional Movement Training Method is built. These movements and the progressive manner in which they are taught can support the development of fundamental and specialized movement skills.

14. What is ADAPT- Alternative Dynamic Activity Preparation Training?
ADAPT is a method used to facilitate the necessary physiological changes to prepare the body for activity and/or exercise. It also provides the groundwork from which the Functional Movement Training Method is initiated and developed. ADAPT is a functional and dynamic approach to teaching fundamental and specialized movement skills that are required in the various units of instruction.

15. What is the “Big Three in PE?”
The Big Three in PE is a concept in which the components of movement (balance, coordination, and core strength), sport (agility, speed, power, reaction time, and functional strength) and fitness (cardiovascular, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition) are taught in an integrated manner and is the guiding principle for instruction when implementing the Functional Movement Training Method.