Association between Functional Movement Screen Scores and Athletic Performance in Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Katie Fitton Davies,Ryan S Sacko,Mark A Lyons,Michael J Duncan

doi:10.3390/sports10030028

Abstract

This study systematically reviews the literature examining the relationship between Fundamental Movement Screen (FMS©) scores and athletic performance in youth. We searched English-language papers on PubMed/MEDLINE, SportsDiscus, CINAHL, and EBSCO for the following inclusion criteria: Participants aged between 11 and 17 years, studies had to include the Functional Movement Screen© (FMS©) and at least one of the following performance outcomes, highlighted by athletic development models (i.e., long-term athletic development (LTAD), youth physical development (YPD)): agility, speed, power, strength, endurance, and balance (YPD), fitness (LTAD), or sport-specific skill (LTAD and YPD). A total of 3146 titles were identified, with 13 relevant studies satisfying the inclusion criteria after full-text screening. The results of this systematic review suggest that children and youth who score highly on the FMS© also tend to have better scores for agility, running speed, strength, and cardiovascular endurance. The strength of associations was weak to moderate in nature. Only one study was considered or controlled for biological maturation in their analysis. These results provide evidence that, while there is a relationship between FMS© scores and tests of athletic performance in youth, they are not the same thing and should be considered conceptually different constructs.

Highlights

Over the last decade, there has been an increased interest in the importance of functional movement for health and sports performance [1]
Functional movement skills (FMS)© are more likely to score highly in tests related to agility, running speed, strength, and cardiovascular endurance and some, albeit sparser, evidence that this is the case for tests of balance
The proponents of the FMS© describe it as a series of “seven tests that utilise a variety of basic positions and movements, which are thought to provide the foundation for more complex athletic movements to be performed efficiently” ([60], p. 148) and while functional movement and functional performance are conceptually related, the FMS© should not be considered as a test of performance or to predict performance

Summary

Introduction

There has been an increased interest in the importance of functional movement for health and sports performance [1]. Functional movement skills (FMS) have been proposed as bodily movements characterised by adequate joint and muscle function, and by a movement efficiency that minimises the risk of injury [2,3]. Functional movement skills, refer to the movement pattern that underpins all other movements [5] and is needed for successful engagement in health-enhancing physical activity (PA) and sports performance [9]. The assessment of functional movement, and gaining an understanding of the extent that functional movement relates to other health and sports performance outcomes and injury risk [10,12,13], have become key areas of interest for sports medicine and sports science practitioners.

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion