Applied Movement Specialist Certification (AMS)

Overview
PTCS has created something unique. An advanced personal training online-home study certification called Applied Movement Specialist. The Applied Movement Specialist(AMS) is not a certification teaching about examining clients, but an advanced certification that teaches and explains the 'why' and science behind human movement, injuries and post rehab training application principles.
 

The Applied Movement Specialist(AMS) consists of the following: five modules, five study workbooks and five recorded power point presentations.
Five modules:

1. Understanding the kinetic chain

2. Joint movements actions

3. Biomechanics of movement

4. Rehabilitation Principles

5. Common movement dysfunctions affecting the orthopedic, neuromuscular, geriatric conditions and more populations.

 

Certification Description
This advanced course is designed to educate the personal trainer to a deeper level of understanding of the human body, to learn how dysfunctions develop, how the body heals and how to design programs for post therapy clientele.  This is not an essential course or a beginning level course. This is an advanced course that is designed to stimulate your thinking, challenge you in unfamiliar waters and push you to strive to be the best you can be. It is designed to make you think like a health care professional not someone who just watches someone perform exercises.

 

Applied Movement Specialist (AMS) Modules
Module One: Understanding the Kinematic Chain Objectives:

• Interpret the fundamental concepts of mobility and stability as it relates to the entire kinematic chain

• Differentiate what an open chain movement and a closed chain movement is as it relates to movement

• Differentiate the different parts of the kinetic chain and how one affects the other  
  with both static and dynamic movements

• Recognize what a mobilizer and stabilizer muscle are while giving examples of each

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Module Two: Joint Movements and Actions Objectives:

• Differentiate how the joints of the ankle, knee, hip, shoulder and spine move

• Independently compare a hinge, pivot, ball and socket, saddle, condyloid and gliding joints are within the body

• Interpret the different types of bones and their respective function.

• Interpret the different planes of movement as it relates to both daily and sport specific movement

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Module Three: Biomechanics of Movement Objectives:

• Recognize the principles of biomechanics as it relates to everyday human movement.

• Interpret the biomechanics of movement of the spine, shoulder, hip, knee and ankle

• Differentiate the difference between arthokinematics vs. osteokinematics

• Compare the difference between an open chain vs. closed chain exercise and give one exercise of each with rationale with clinical and functional application

• Distinguish what happens biomechanically with all spinal motions of the neck, thoracic and lumbar regions

• Distinguish what happens biomechanically with shoulder flexion, shoulder abduction, external and internal rotations

 

Module Four: Rehabilitation Principles Objectives:

• Explain how common injuries occur that affect the musculoskeletal system.

• Interpret the inflammatory process and all of the stages associated with an injury.

• Distinguish the difference between a ligament and a tendon injury.

• Distinguish the difference of tissue healing vs. bone healing as it relates to the post rehab client.

• Explain the base pain mechanisms an individual experiences with any soft tissue, bone or orthopedic injury.

• Interpret the evidenced based research behind common soft tissue injuries, including the medical management, physical therapy and rehabilitation involved.

• Deduce the difference between mobility and stability as it relates to the post rehabilitation client.

• Defend an exercise program that includes post rehabilitation training principles designed for a client that is individualized and client specific.

• Differentiate the difference between neuromuscular control and stabilization training as it applies to the post rehabilitation client.

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Module Five: Common Movement Dysfunctions affecting the Orthopedic, Neuromuscular, CP/CV & Special Populations Objectives:

• Differentiate between common orthopedic, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary/vascular and special population dysfunctions. 

• Critically evaluate the difference among common pathology/movement dysfunctions.

• Interpret the mechanism of injury, common symptoms, medical management, common physical therapy treatment with post therapy training of common orthopedic injuries.

• Design sample beginner and advanced programs for movement dysfunctions defending rationale that is based on science and research.

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Prerequisites for the Applied Movement Specialist(AMS) Certification

To be eligible to take the examination you must possess: 

• Hold a degree in health or fitness related field (i.e. exercise physiology, exercise science, kinesiology, physical therapy assistant or similar) and/or possess a national personal training certification with at least 5 years’ experience.

• Complete all the modules accompanying the Applied Movement Specialist(AMS) Track.

• Pass the Applied Movement Specialist written online multiple-choice examinaiton with a score of 75% or better on each examination

 

Testimonials:

As a golf fitness professional and personal trainer, I'm always looking for education that helps me better understand movement and improve client outcomes. The Applied Movement Specialist (AMS) course provided a practical framework for assessing movement patterns and identifying compensations that impact performance and function. Chris does an excellent job translating complex concepts into real-world applications. His background as a physical therapist brings valuable insight to movement assessment and corrective exercise.

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I especially appreciated the focus on critical thinking and connecting assessment findings to exercise programming. I would highly recommend the AMS course to fitness professionals looking to expand their understanding of movement and enhance their coaching skills.
Janis Thornton, CPT, Golf Fitness Specialist | TPI Level 2 Certified | Golf Digest Certified | ACE Certified
6/24/26

 

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CEU APPROVAL:

NASM FOR 1.9 CEUs​​

Cost: $397.97 

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