The Body is a Business: Your New Preseason Playbook

As a student-athlete, you’ve got a lot to manage. Practice, class, games, and everything in between. But there’s another part of the game you need to be focused on: your body. Just like a business, your body needs a strong foundation to perform at its best and avoid costly setbacks.

At Penn State Mont Alto, they’re taking a business-like approach to athlete health with a new program that uses Functional Movement System Screens (FMS). Think of it as a pre-season audit for your body.

• The Goal: The screens help identify potential risk factors that could lead to injury. By flagging common issues like limited ankle mobility, tight hamstrings, or poor core stability, they can help you correct these weaknesses before they become a season-ending injury.
• The Team: The program is a collaboration between the athletic department and the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program. This means you’re not just getting screened; you’re working with future health professionals who are using this as a unique opportunity to gain real-world experience.
• The Payoff: The screenings are done six weeks before the season, giving you and your coaches time to implement a new workout plan. As Assistant Athletic Director Shane Myers says, it’s about giving you “the best chance to stay healthy throughout the season.”

Just like a strong business plan, a strong movement plan can help you avoid major setbacks and set you up for long-term success.