Functional Movement Test Score as a Predictor of Time-loss during a Professional Football Team's Pre-season

Abstract

PURPOSE: Researchers have reported that athletes with poor dynamic balance or asymmetrical strength and flexibility (i.e. poor fundamental movement patterns) are more likely to be injured. There is no gold standard measurement tool available to assess these risk factors. The fundamental movement patterns tested in the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) place the athlete in positions where ROM, stabilization, and balance are assessed simultaneously. It has been reported that professional football players with a composite score of ≤ 14 on the FMS are more likely to be injured over the course of a season. The purpose of this study was to determine if fundamental movement characteristics and power have a relationship with time-loss injury over the course of the pre-season in professional football. METHODS: FMS scores and upper and lower body power were obtained prior to the start of training camp for one professional football team (n = 81). The previously established cut-off score of ≤ 14 on the FMS, the presence of asymmetries on the FMS, upper and lower body power, and rookie/veteran status were examined using odds ratio and logistic regression analyses to determine if a relationship exists with time-loss injury. RESULTS: Logistic regression models indicated that players with an FMS score ≤ 14 were approximately 11 times more likely to be injured and players with an asymmetry were 3 times more likely to be injured (p < 0.05). There was no significant relationship with rookie/veteran status or power. When diagnostic testing statistics were applied, having one risk factor was highly sensitive .80 (CI95 .64-.91) LR- = .37 (CI95 .16-.77) and having both risk factors was highly specific .98 (CI95 .93-.99) LR+ = 13.4 (CI95 2.3-84.2) to time-loss injury. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest fundamental movement and movement asymmetry (as measured by the FMS) were independent identifiable risk factors for time-loss injury during the preseason in professional football players and that power and rookie/veteran status were not. These results are consistent with previous research in professional football demonstrating higher injury risk for individuals with inferior fundamental movement patterns. Future research should investigate whether these risk factors are modifiable and if modification results in reduced injury risk.