very busy or active
Cambridge Dictionary of American Idioms � Cambridge University Press 2003
http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/on the move

And here is what Longman gives:

a) to be travelling from one place to another:
The rebel army is on the move.
b) to be busy and active:
Roy is constantly on the move.
c) to be changing and developing a lot, especially in a way that improves things:
Museums are on the move, adding exhibits that entertain and educate.

http://pewebdic2.cw.idm.fr/

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Note added at 19 minute (2006-09-24 09:39:24 GMT)
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be on the move INFORMAL
1 to be physically active:
I've been on the move all day and I'm really tired.

2 to be travelling:
We're going to be on the move all next week, but we'll call you when we get to Edinburgh.

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=52244&dict=CA...

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Note added at 29 minute (2006-09-24 09:49:12 GMT)
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that depends, maybe now they are unusually active
- as you said they might be preparing the troops for battle but not in an obvious way

"Blue thunders", the legendary racing team from Tokyo, were on the move." => were movng up in the ranking..becoming important

were beating their competitors