Reliability of the Functional Movement Screen Using a 100-point Grading Scale

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Prior research suggests deficits in functional movement and dynamic balance are associated with increased injury risk. The functional movement screen (FMS) has been shown to predict injury in athletes and other active populations. Currently, each of the 7 movements of the FMS are scored on a 0-3 ordinal scale. Traditionally, the scores are summed to create a composite FMS score (0-21) which reflects the subjects fundamental movement. To improve precision of the FMS for research purposes, a 100-point scale has been developed. Scoring criteria from each of the 7 movements were assigned a point value with the maximum possible score equaling 100. Use of this more precise measurement tool may assist researchers to more accurately predict injury and measure change in fundamental movement. PURPOSE: To determine the interrater reliability of the 100-point FMS scoring scale. METHODS: Fifty middle school aged subjects consented to participate in this study. Video data of each subject performing each of the 7 movements of the FMS were obtained. The videos were then analyzed by 2 separate raters using the new 100-point scoring system. The raters were blinded to one another's assessment. Interrater reliability was calculated for each movement and the composite score utilizing the 2,1 ICC model. RESULTS: Interrater reliability for individual components of the FMS ranged from 0.91 to 1.0 on the 100-point scale. Composite interrater reliability was 0.99. The left lunge component of the FMS test had the lowest interrater reliability of 0.91, while left and right shoulder mobility, left and right active straight leg raise, and stability push-up all had perfect agreement of 1.0. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest the proposed 100-point FMS scoring scale can be scored with a high level of reliability in a middle school-aged population. Use of this measurement tool may assist researchers to more accurately predict injury and measure change in fundamental movement in future studies. Additional research is needed to determine the reliability of this tool when scored live without video as it has been suggested that video use may inflate reliability values.