Effect Of Suspension Training On Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and Mobility, Activation, Posture,and Symmetry (MAPS)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Although suspension training is used in various exercise routines, there has been insufficient research to determine the effect of suspension training on functional movement. PURPOSE: 1) to examine the effect of suspension training on functional movement, assessed via the FMS and MAPS and 2) to identify the correlation between the FMS and MAPS. METHODS: Twenty-seven participants (19 females; 8 males; Age = 26.0 ± 11.1 yrs; Height = 167.9 ± 9.1 cm; Body Mass = 69.6 ± 14.1 kg) completed 28 exercise sessions over a 14-week course. Throughout each 40-minute exercise session, six body positions were utilized on the suspension training straps which included push, pull, rotational, squat, and lunge movements; participants also engaged in functional training utilizing stability balls and resistance bands. Pre- and post-fitness assessments included the FMS, MAPS, body composition, muscular endurance, muscular strength, and flexibility. Dependent t-tests were used to determine if there were mean changes in functional movement status. Due to multiple comparisons, Bonferroni correction was used, therefore, alpha level was set at .007. RESULTS: There were significant positive changes in FMS (14.6 ± 2.7 to 15.9 ± 2.1, p<0.001) and MAPS (52.9 ± 10.3 to 56.3 ± 9.7, p<0.001) values, as well as mean quantity of push-ups (24.9 ± 11.5 to 29.4 ± 13.9, p=0.004) and handgrip dynamometer (78.0 ± 21.7 kg to 85.6 ± 24.0 kg, p= 0.006). There were no significant changes in mean body mass, fat mass, lean mass, percent body fat, and sit-and-reach values. Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationship between FMS and MAPS both at pre- and post-testing. At both time points, pre- and post-testing, the correlations were significant (r = .52 and .43, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Participation in suspension training produced significant improvements in overall functional movement, muscular strength, and endurance. Although there were significant positive changes in both FMS and MAPS from pre- to post-assessment, a weak correlation existed between the FMS and MAPS assessments.