Functional Movement Screen Composite Score Research Articles

Little associations exist between the three commonly used functional screening tests in collegiate athletes

Although an abundant number of studies have investigated the predictability of the commonly used functional screening tests and despite their popularity and applicability, the relationships between these tests have rarely been studied and have not been well established. This study aimed to examine the potential association between the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Y Balance Test (YBT), and Landing Error Scoring System (LESS). Six hundred twenty-seven Iranian collegiate athletes (347 males, age = 22.63 ± 4.07, weight = 75.98 ± 13.79, height = 181.99 ± 10.15, BMI = 22.84 ± 3.16; and 280 females, age = 22.22 ± 3.37, weight = 60.63 ± 9.58, height = 166.55 ± 6.49, BMI = 21.81 ± 2.84) participated in this study. Following a 5-min warm-up, each participant underwent a standardized screening battery including the FMS, YBT, and LESS, and the scores were recorded and live coded for the statistical analysis, except for the LESS. The LESS tests were video recorded and scored by one expert examiner using an open-source 2D video analysis software (Kinovea- version 0.9.5), afterwards. The Spearman correlation was utilized as a measure for the correlation, and the Mann‒Whitney U test with a significance level of 0.05 was used to check the differences between male and female athletes. The statistical analysis was performed with RStudio 2023.03.0 using R 4.3.1. A small correlation (0.364) was observed between the FMS composite score and the YBT in male athletes. All other pairwise correlations were negligible among male and female athletes, ranging from − 0.096 to 0.294. Reducing the FMS to the component scores targeting the lower extremities did not alter the correlation to the other screening scores. The median FMS composite score in female athletes was significantly higher than that in males (p < 0.001). Negligible correlations exist between the FMS, LESS, and YBT; they do not measure the same values and therefore are irreplaceable with one another. A combination of these tests as a standardized screening battery may potentially better identify injury-predisposed athletes than the application of each test as a stand-alone screening test. Females outperformed males in the FMS test significantly, so sex must be considered a key variable in the FMS studies. Males had slightly higher LESS scores (median difference = 0.5) than females, but this difference is not clinically meaningful. Future research should continue to explore the relationships between various functional screening tests and identify the most effective combinations for comprehensive assessment in different populations and sports disciplines.

Assessing Injury Susceptibility at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California.

Poh, PYS, Sessoms, PH, Haluch, KS, and Trone, DW. Assessing injury susceptibility at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. J Strength Cond Res 37(7): 1530-1536, 2023-Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) recruits undergo demanding training. Musculoskeletal injury (MSKI) accounts for attrition and graduation delays. Functional tests, such as Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Y-Balance Test-Lower Quarter (YBT-LQ), and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (AD-ROM), may identify individuals at greater MSKI risk. This study tested the hypothesis that functional assessments may inform injury prediction. Male recruits ( N = 407; mean ± SD : age, 20 ± 2 years) performed baseline functional tests. Marine Corps Recruit Depot staff tracked MSKI and graduation outcomes. The chi-square test of independence (individual FMS exercises) and Mann-Whitney U (FMS composite score) test examined the relationship between FMS and MSKI incidence. One-way analysis of variance compared YBT-LQ and AD-ROM with MSKI incidence. Twelve recruits (3%) incurred a lower extremity MSKI and were dropped. Of those 12, 9 had a delayed graduation, and 3 separated from enlistment. The level of significance was set at p < 0.10 to identify between-group differences (yes-MSKI vs. no-MSKI). Functional movement screen composite score ( p = 0.064), hurdle step ( p = 0.059), and trunk stability ( p = 0.001) were lower in yes-MSKI. Y-Balance Test-Lower Quarter anterior direction difference between legs ( p = 0.011) and AD-ROM right side ( p = 0.055) was greater in yes-MSKI. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated using cut-off scores, with strong odds of sustaining MSKI with FMS trunk stability score <2 (OR: 7.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [2.32, 24.61]) and YBT-LQ anterior difference >6.25 cm (OR: 6.38, 95% CI: [1.98, 20.55]). Recruits who incurred MSKI had scores that indicated lesser mobility and stability of the lower extremity, providing preliminary evidence that when assessed together, FMS, YBT-LQ, and AD-ROM, may have predictive value for identifying those at MSKI risk.

Does changing the Functional Movement Screen composite score threshold influence injury risk estimation in junior Australian football players?

ABSTRACT This study aimed to identify whether a revised lower Functional Movement Screen (FMS) composite score threshold would be associated with a greater injury risk for junior athletes than the common threshold of≤14. This prospective cohort study included tracking of 809 elite junior male Australian football players for injuries that resulted in a missed game. All athletes completed pre-season FMS testing and a 12-month self-reported retrospective injury questionnaire. Analyses examined the relationship between composite score thresholds of≤14, ≤13, and≤12 and the risk of injury. The relationship between prospective injury and the common composite threshold score of ≤ 14 was dependent on the presence of a recent injury history (relative risk [RR] = 1.45, p = 0.004) in comparison to no recent injury history (RR = 0.98, p = 0.887). Scoring≤12 in the presence of a recent injury history had the greatest diagnostic accuracy but only a trivial increase in injury risk (RR = 1.59, p = 0.001, sensitivity = 0.35, specificity = 0.80, negative and positive likelihood ratios = 0.81 and 1.75). Whilst some small statistical relationships existed between prospective injury and the FMS composite score thresholds, all three thresholds were not associated with a clinically meaningful relationship with prospective injury and were no more effective than retrospective injury for determining athletes at risk of injury.

Composite functional movement screen score predicts injuries in youth volleyball players: a prospective cohort study

We aimed to investigate whether composite Functional Movement Screen (FMS) test scores can predict musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) in youth volleyball players. 131 national young volleyball players (Males: n = 100, age = 16.5 years, height = 1.787 m, mass = 68.32 kg; Females: n = 31, age = 13.83 years, height = 1.684 m, mass = 65.12 kg) participated in this prospective cohort study. The FMS screen was performed before starting the season. MSI and exposure data were collected during the season via each team’s certified athletic trainer. The mean FMS score and standard deviation for all volleyball players was 15.85 ± 3.31. A score of ≤ 14 was positive to predict MSI with specificity of 0.60 and sensitivity of 0.93. The odds ratio for (≤ 14/˃14) was 0.048. The relative risk for being injured was 3.46. Positive likelihood ratio was 2.34, and negative likelihood ratio was 0.11. The findings of this study demonstrated that an FMS score of ≤ 14 is an identifiable risk factor for injury in young volleyball players. The FMS can be used as a pre-season screening test to identify volleyball players who may be predisposed to sustaining MSI during the season ahead.

The relationship between core muscle endurance and functional movement screen scores in females with lumbar hyperlordosis: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundCore muscle endurance is essential for proper movement and lower extremity injury prevention. In addition, the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) score is a tool to assess body movement patterns to predict the risk of injury. Although various researches have investigated the relationship between the core muscle endurance and the FMS score, no study has ever assessed the effect of postural deformity on the FMS score. This study investigates the relationship between core muscle endurance and FMS scores in females with lumbar hyperlordosis.Methods42 healthy females aged 24.03 ± 4.4 years with hyperlordosis ( > = 45/66 degrees) participated in this study. Core muscle endurance was assessed by the McGill stability test. Correlations were evaluated between the FMS score, McGill test, and lordosis angle using spearman correlation coefficients (p ≤ 0.05).ResultsMost individual FMS scores were not correlated with the McGill test except stability trunk push up. Also, lordosis angle was not correlated with the FMS composite score (r=-0.077; p = 0.631), while it was negatively correlated with the McGill test (r=-0.650; p = 0.000).ConclusionThe lack of correlation between the FMS score and the McGill test implies that one’s level of core endurance may not influence their functional movement patterns. In contrast, the lumbar lordosis angle might impact one’s core muscle endurance but not their functional movement patterns.

Effects of a dynamic stretching warm-up on functional movement patterns in female hip-hop dancers

Background: A large percentage of dancers suffer an injury to their musculoskeletal system at least once in their careers, as well as from pain caused by overloading or overtraining this system. A high frequency of injuries has been observed in hip-hop dancers. Before each workout, there should be a solid warm-up and stretching period. The lack of these two important elements increases the risk of injury. Aim of the study: This study aimed to examine the effects of dynamic stretching warm-ups on fundamental movement patterns in female hip-hop dancers. Material and methods: This study included 14 hip-hop female dancers, aged 15–17. Dancers participated in 6 weeks of dynamic stretching warm-ups. Anthropometric and demographic variables were measured. The effectiveness of dynamic stretching warm-ups in improving fundamental movement patterns was assessed using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) test including qualitative assessments using Deep Squat (DS) Hurdle Step (HS), In-Line Lunge (ILL), Shoulder Mobility (SM), Active Straight-Leg Raise (ASLR), Trunk Stability Push-Ups (TSPU) and Rotational Stability (RS). Results: Before the intervention, the mean composite FMS™ score was 15.00 ± 1.84 points and after the intervention was 16.64 ± 1.39 (p &lt; 0.05). There were also statistically significant differences before and after the intervention in the DS (1.86 ± 0.53 vs. 2.36 ± 0.49, p &lt; 0.05) and ASLR (2.21 ± 0.69 vs. 2.57 ± 0.65, p &lt; 0.05). The number of dancers who scored 14 points or less on the FMS test before and after dynamic stretching warm-ups decreased from 50% to 0%. HS (r = 0.63, p = 0.01) and TPSU (r = 0.79, p = 0.01) were positively correlated with composite FMS scores before the intervention. After the intervention, positive correlations were observed between ASLR and composite FMS scores (r = 0.68; p = 0.01). Conclusions: Dynamic stretching warm-ups significantly improve functional movement patterns, including DS, ASLR, and composite FMS scores. It is important to use movement competency screenings in injury prevention programs.

Association Between the Functional Movement Screen and Landing Kinematics in Individuals With and Without Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

The purpose of this study was to compare functional movement screen (FMS) scores and drop vertical jump (DVJ) kinematics between those with and without anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), and to evaluate the association between FMS composite score and DVJ kinematics. Cross-sectional. Sixty individuals with and without a history of ACLR. Composite FMS score and the dorsiflexion, knee-flexion, hip-flexion, knee abduction, hip adduction, and trunk-flexion angles during a DVJ. The FMS scores did not differ between groups (P > .05). There were smaller peak and initial contact hip-flexion angles in the ACLR and contralateral limbs compared with controls, and smaller peak dorsiflexion angles in the ACLR compared with contralateral limbs (P < .05). Lower FMS score was associated with a smaller peak dorsiflexion angle, smaller peak knee-flexion angle, and larger peak knee abduction angle in the ACLR limb (ΔR2 = .14-.23); a smaller peak dorsiflexion angle and smaller peak knee-flexion angle in the contralateral limb (ΔR2 = .17-.19); and a smaller peak dorsiflexion angle, smaller peak knee-flexion angle, and larger peak knee abduction angle in the control limb (ΔR2 = .16-.22). The FMS scores did not differ between groups, but were associated with DVJ kinematics and should be a complementary rather than substitute assessment.

The relationship between the Functional Movement Screen and the Y Balance Test in youth footballers.

BackgroundThe Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and the Y Balance Test (Y-BT) are screening tools to detect movement deficits and to identify footballers at high risk of injury. If these tools are able to identify athletes with high risk of injury, they should measure the same construct and also be highly correlated.ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the FMS and Y-BT in youth footballers. The present study also aimed to assess the degree of association between the FMS and Y-BT considering high-injury-risk (FMS <= 14 points and Y-BT <= 89.6%) and low-injury-risk groups (FMS > 14 points and Y-BT > 89.6%).MethodA sample of 226 healthy athletes (mean age: 14.0 ± 2.3 years) was selected from a football club. The FMS and Y-BT data were collected from all participants. The Y-BT raw data were normalised to the relative length of the lower limbs. Spearman’s correlation was used in the analysis.ResultsFor the whole group, there was a moderate correlation (R = 0.41; p < 0.001) between the composite FMS score and composite Y-BT score. The strength of relationships varied from weak to moderate between the FMS subtests and most Y-BT results for each direction. In the high-injury-risk group, there was no correlation (R = 0.11; p = 0.61) between the composite FMS score and composite Y-BT score. For the low-injury-risk group, there was a weak significant correlation (R = 0.27; p < 0.007) between the composite FMS score and composite Y-BT score. Additionally, 56 and 53 athletes were classified to the high-injury-risk group based on the FMS and Y-BT, respectively. Only 23 athletes were classified to the high-risk group by both tests.ConclusionsYouth footballers showed only weak to moderate correlations between the FMS and the Y-BT. Footballers classified in the high-injury-risk group based on the FMS and Y-BT presented a different relationship between the FMS and Y-BT tasks compared to the low-injury-risk group. The results confirmed that the FMS and Y-BT should not be used interchangeably as they assess different movement deficits in the group of youth football players. The study results may partially suggest that using one of these screening tools cannot successfully predict injury risk in adolescent football players. This justifies the need to use these tests simultaneously to identify possible neuromuscular control deficits in youth footballers.

Criterion Validity of Functional Movement Screen as a Predictor of Sports Injury Risk in Chinese Police Staff.

The occurrence of sports injury has been proven to be highly associated with injury history. (1) Background: This study aimed to validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) as a predictor of sports injury risk for Chinese police staff by exploring the optimal cut-off value of the FMS total score for the identification of previous injury. (2) Methods: More than 160 Chinese police staff were recruited and completed the FMS and interviews. The recorders of 148 (79 females and 69 males) participants met the data analysis requirements. For the goal of evaluating the total score of the FMS as a predictor of sports injury risk, all data underwent statistical analysis, calculation of ROC and AUC, evaluation of threshold validity, and so on. (3) Results: The total score frequency distribution of participants’ FMS presented the shape of a normal distribution. The statistical results of the study showed that the FMS composite scores (10.6 ± 2.28) of the police staff with a sports injury history were indeed less than those without an injury history (12.4 ± 2.26). The threshold of a total score of the FMS test that warned of a sports injury risk in Chinese police staff on the basis of a previous injury history was 13.5, with an acceptable AUC value (0.701). In accord with the real social environment and the rule of natural human physiological change, the FMS results of this study showed a distinct deterioration trend with increasing age. (4) Conclusions: The FMS deserves consideration by trainers and clinicians as a pre-exercise physical examination for Chinese police staff to avoid sports injury.

The Functional Movement Screen and Injury Risk in Sporting Populations: An Evidence-to-Practice Review

The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a functional test, which aims to identify dysfunctional, asymmetrical, and painful movements that could contribute to future injuries. Medical professionals can clinically use this information to implement appropriate, specialized prehabilitation training aimed at reducing the dysfunctional, asymmetrical, and painful movements, to help prevent injury risk. Research on this tool, however, has contradictory findings regarding FMS composite score and future risk of injury. It is unclear to what extent FMS can predict those with future injury risk, and whether there are factors, such as age, sex, or sport-type, which may be contributing to these varying findings. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to identify which factors, if any, may contribute to the contradictory findings regarding the relationship between FMS composite score and subsequent injury risk in physically active populations. The review aimed to include any study which performed an FMS test at baseline on physically active individuals competing at any level, and determined risk groups based on composite scores, using odds ratios, sensitivity, and specificity as outcome measures. Subgroups were assessed based on athlete age, sex, sport-type, injury definition and injury mechanism. Reviewed participants were split into two age groups, senior (18+ years old) and junior (9-18 years old) athletes. It was found that age, sex, and sport-type explained some of the variable findings in the literature, however, effect sizes were often small in magnitude. Functional Movement Screen composite scores and asymmetry seemed to be the most useful in estimating injury risk for senior athletes, as well as individuals participating in rugby, American football, and ice hockey. There were many gaps identified in the research that may help get a consensus on optimal populations and uses for FMS. Thus, we recommend utilizing appropriate clinical judgment when determining if FMS would be a beneficial tool for identifying those with higher injury risk at your clinical site and with your patient population.

A comparison of functional movement patterns between female low back pain developers and non-pain developers.

Distinctive features of low back pain-developers (LBPDs) as pre-clinical low back pain (LBP) population have been evidenced in three areas of alignment, muscle activation, and movement patterns. To clarify whether the reported altered functional movement patterns in chronic LBP patients result from or result in LBP disorders, LBPDs' functional movement patterns should be investigated. This study aimed to compare female LBPDs' functional movement patterns with non-pain developers' (NPDs). Sixty female LBPDs and NPDs were recruited based on the research requirements. The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) was used to investigate movement quality. Data were compared between groups via Mann-Whitney U tests and correlation analyses examined association between pain intensity and onset during prolonged standing and the FMS score. Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves and Chi Squares were conducted to find the best cutoff points. An alpha level of p≤0.05 was used to establish statistical significance. LBPDs scored significantly lower, or rather worse than NPDs in the FMS composite score (12.06±1.33 vs. 16.43±1.59, U = 3, P < 0.001). Moreover, the optimal cutoff scores of≤14 on the FMS, 2 on the push-up, and 1 on the deep squat discriminated between female LBPDs and NPDs. The FMS composite score was correlated negatively with LBP intensity (r (60) = -0.724, p < 0.001) and positively with LBP onset (r (60) = 0.277, p = 0.032) during prolonged standing. Finally, the results indicated that female LBPDs presented with at least one bilateral asymmetry on the FMS had 10 times (95% CI, 2.941-34.008) and with at least two bilateral asymmetries on the FMS had 15.5 times (95% CI, 3.814-63.359) higher odds of developing LBP during prolonged standing than NPDs. Female LBPDs, who are at higher risk for developing LBP in the future, have significantly lower quality of functional movement patterns compared to NPDs. Moreover, the FMS appears to show promise for predicting individuals who are at risk for LBP development during prolonged standing.

HURDLE STEP COMPONENT SCORE FROM THE FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT SCREEN IS ASSOCIATED WITH STRENGTH, SPEED, AND JUMP PERFORMANCE

Background:The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a tool designed to establish a baseline for fundamental movement capacity, highlight limitations and limb asymmetries, and identify potential injury risk. Previous research has shown that individual components of the screen are also indicative of injury risk, as well as potential predictors of athletic performance unlike the FMS composite scores. However, this literature is limited and lacks statistical power. Identifying which component scores are predictive of injury risk and athletic performance would provide a quick, powerful tool for coaches and trainers to evaluate athletes.Purpose:To determine if individual component scores of the FMS are associated with athletic performance in highly-active youth athletes.Methods:Youth athletes participated in the Specialized Athlete Functional Evaluation (SAFE) Program. Data collection was extensive, however, for the purpose of this abstract, only a selection of data was analyzed – age, BMI, years played, total number of past injuries, isokinetic knee strength, 10- and 20-meter sprint, single-leg hop (SLH) distance, and FMS scores. Seated knee flexion/extension strength was collected at 120°/second using a Biodex System 4, and peak torque was normalized by body weight. The maximum distance of three SLHs was recorded for each leg and normalized to leg length. FMS scores used for analysis included the total composite and component scores, including the deep squat, hurdle step, in-line lunge, shoulder mobility, active straight-leg raise, trunk stability push-up, and rotary stability. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Tests were used to determine side-to-side differences, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed to determine differences in athletic performance based on FMS scores (α<0.05).Results:A total of 38 highly-active, youth athletes (26F; 15.4±2.6 years; BMI 21.0±5.3) were tested. Participants reported playing organized sports for 8.7±3.4 years, having 2.0±1.2 past sports-related injuries, and 74% reported specializing in a single sport. No side-to-side differences were found. While the composite FMS score significantly differed by number of past injuries (p=0.036), it was not associated with athletic performance. Alternatively, left knee strength, sprint speeds, and right hop distance significantly differed by the hurdle step component score (Table 1).Conclusion:While the composite FMS score was not an indicator of athletic performance, the hurdle step component score was associated with strength, speed, and jump performance. This individual task could be a beneficial tool for coaches and trainers when evaluating athletic ability and injury risk of athletes.Tables/Figures:

Low composite functional movement screen score associated with decline of gait stability in young adults.

BackgroundThe functional movement screen (FMS)TM is a screening tool used to evaluate fundamental motor function. A score of 14 for the composite total FMS score (TFMS) is generally used as the cut-off point (≤14/21). In addition, gait analysis is used to evaluate fundamental motor function in humans. Thus, evaluating the fundamental motor function using the FMSTM test and gait analysis at various speeds can provide further understanding of any decline in gait stability. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between gait ability and fundamental movement patterns in young adults according to the cut-off point.MethodsA total of 439 participants (male: 203, female: 236) successfully completed the FMS test and a 1 min treadmill test; the participants were classified into two groups: low TFMS (≤14) and high TFMS (>14).ResultsThe low TFMS group exhibited slower and shortened walking patterns and worsen gait variability than the high TFMS group. The coefficient of variance (CV) for the double support phase at a faster speed (male) and the stride length at a slower speed (female) were classifiers between the two groups. In addition, the low TFMS group demonstrated insufficient gait adaptation at the preferred and faster speeds based on the CV of the double support phase and gait asymmetry. Lower TFMS is associated with a decline in gait ability. Therefore, participants with a lower TFMS and poor gait ability may require intervention programs to prevent risk of future injury and to enhance motor function.

Functional Movement Quality of Firefighter Recruits: Longitudinal Changes from the Academy to Active-Duty Status.

Approximately half of the injuries experienced by firefighters consist of musculoskeletal injuries (MSKIs). Functional movement quality may be associated with MSKI risk within this tactical athlete population. Previous research indicates that measures of body composition change among firefighter recruits progressing from academy training through active-duty service, but similar changes in functional movement quality have yet to be examined. The purpose of this study was to describe longitudinal changes in functional movement quality of firefighter recruits. Body mass index (BMI), body fat (BF), and Functional Movement Screen (FMS) data were collected from 26 male firefighter recruits at the onset (W1) and completion (W14) of their training academy, and at the completion of their probationary period of active-duty service (W38). After adjusting for changes in BMI and BF across time, significant changes (ps < 0.05) in Composite FMS scores were identified, with significant increases in from W1 to W14 and from W14 to W38, as well as an overall increase from W1 to W38. These results suggest that the development of firefighter-specific skills can decrease the MSKI risk of firefighter recruits by facilitating enhanced functional movement competencies, particularly during tasks that require single-leg movement and core strength and stability.

Relationship Between Movement Quality and Physical Performance in Elite Adolescent Australian Football Players.

Bennett, H, Fuller, J, Milanese, S, Jones, S, Moore, E, and Chalmers, S. The relationship between movement quality and physical performance in elite adolescent Australian football players. J Strength Cond Res 36(10): 2824-2829, 2022-The assessment of movement quality is commonplace in competitive sport to profile injury risk and guide exercise prescription. However, the relationship between movement quality scores and physical performance measures is unclear. Moreover, whether improvements in these measures are associated remain unknown. Over a 4-year period, 918 individual elite adolescent Australian Rules Footballers completed the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and physical performance testing (5- and 20-m sprint, vertical jump, planned agility, and 20-m shuttle run test), allowing the analysis of relationships between FMS parameters and performance measures. In addition, 235 athletes completed testing over 2 consecutive years, allowing the analysis of relationships between changes in these outcomes. Small associations were observed between FMS composite score, hurdle step performance, in-line lunge performance, trunk stability push-up performance, rotary stability, and measures of speed, power, agility, and aerobic fitness (ρ = 0.071-0.238). Across consecutive seasons, significant improvements were observed in the deep squat subtest ( d = 0.21), FMS composite score ( d = 0.17), and 5- ( d = 0.16) and 20-m sprint times ( d = 0.39). A negative association between change in rotary stability and change in jump height (ρ = -0.236) from one season to the next was detected. Results suggest FMS scores have limited relationships with measures of performance in footballers. To optimize athletic performance, once acceptable movement capabilities have been established, training should not prioritize improving movement quality over improvements in strength, power, and change of direction ability.

The Effects of a Novel Quadrupedal Movement Training Program on Functional Movement, Range of Motion, Muscular Strength, and Endurance.

Buxton, JD, Prins, PJ, Miller, MG, Moreno, A, Welton, GL, Atwell, AD, Talampas, TR, and Elsey, GE. The effects of a novel quadrupedal movement training program on functional movement, range of motion, muscular strength, and endurance. J Strength Cond Res 36(8): 2186-2193, 2022-Quadrupedal movement training (QMT) is a form of bodyweight training incorporating animal poses, transitions, and crawling patterns to reportedly improve fitness. This type of training may improve multiple facets of fitness, unfortunately, little evidence exists to support commercial claims and guide practitioners in the best use of QMT. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a commercially available QMT program on functional movement, dynamic balance, range of motion, and upper body strength and endurance. Forty-two active college-age (19.76 ± 2.10 years) subjects (males = 19, females = 23) were randomly assigned to a QMT ( n = 21) or control (CON) ( n = 21) group for 8 weeks. Quadrupedal movement training consisted of 60-minute classes performed 2×·wk -1 in addition to regular physical activity. Active range of motion, Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Y-Balance Test (YBT), handgrip strength, and push-up endurance were assessed before and after the intervention. The QMT group showed significantly greater improvements than the CON group in FMS composite score (1.62 ± 1.53 vs. 0.33 ± 1.15, p = 0.004) and FMS advanced movements (0.81 ± 0.87 vs. 0.01 ± 0.71, p = 0.002) and fundamental stability (0.57 ± 0.75 vs. 0.05 ± 0.50, p = 0.011), along with hip flexion, hip lateral rotation, and shoulder extension ( p < 0.05). No significant differences between groups were observed for dynamic balance or upper body strength and endurance. Our results indicate that QMT can improve FMS scores and various active joint ranges of motion. Quadrupedal movement training is a viable alternative form of training to improve whole-body stabilization and flexibility.

Lateral Abdominal Muscle Symmetry And Risk Of Sports Injury In Baseball Players

Lateral abdominal muscles play a significant role in trunk control and rotation during baseball batting. Repetitive and unidirectional baseball batting could lead to asymmetric hypertrophy of lateral abdominal muscles. This adaptive change may subsequently impose abnormal loads on the spine and predispose baseball players to sports injury. No study has examined whether adolescent baseball players present lateral abdominal muscle asymmetry and its relationship with risk of sports injury. PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the thickness of lateral abdominal muscles on both sides of the trunk, and to investigate whether asymmetry of lateral abdominal muscle thickness was correlated with risk of sports injury in high school baseball players METHODS: Fifteen position players from a high school baseball team (right-handed batting and throwing; aged 16.0 ± 1.1 years, height 172.6 ± 5.0 cm, weight 73.3 ± 10.8 kg) completed the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) testing. B-mode ultrasound images were recorded from the external abdominal oblique (EO), internal abdominal oblique (IO), and transverse abdominis (TA) at the end of expiration in the crook-lying position. The absolute thickness of each lateral abdominal muscle for both sides was determined and compared using paired t-tests. The relationship between the asymmetry ratio (difference between two sides expressed as a percent of the dominant side) and FMS composite score was analyzed using the Spearman correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The EO thickness was significantly greater in the dominant side than in the non-dominant side (6.85 ± 1.13 vs. 5.05 ± 1.46 mm, p < 0.001), and the TA thickness was significantly greater in the non-dominant side than in the dominant side (4.21 ± 0.85 vs. 3.49 ± 0.60 mm, p = 0.003). Only the asymmetry ratio of TA was significantly correlated with the FMS composite score (r = 0.54, p = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: High school baseball players showed side-to-side thickness asymmetry in the EO and TA. The significant correlation between the TA asymmetry ratio and FMS composite score suggests an increased risk of sports injury. High school baseball teams should consider integrating TA training into players’ routine training program. Supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan (MOST 108-2410-H-006-098)

Functional Movement Screen: Single Items For Injury Prediction Of Physical Education And Exercise Science Students.

Screening tools for the individual risk of injury in athletes have gained high popularity lately. Not only professional athletes, but also college students are in need for cost efficient and quick screening tools to allow targeted injury prevention. The applicability of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) as a valid screening tool for injury prediction among various populations has been evaluated in several studies. Most studies have drawn their conclusions from the composite score. Only a few studies have examined the validity of single items for injury prediction. In addition, gender differences have only been taken into account to a limited extent. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to determine the applicability of the FMS composite score and its seven single items for the sex-specific prediction of injury among German physical education and exercise science students. METHODS: Overall, N = 99 physical active college students (female: 53, male: 46) between 18-29 years of age were recruited. All participants performed a FMS at the beginning of two consecutive semesters. All injuries were recorded monthly for the entire semester. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC) were used to estimate an optimal cut-off score for females and males separately and to assess the ability of the FMS sum score to predict an injury. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to assess odds ratios for the chance of injury related to single items of the FMS. RESULTS: The ROC curves indicated moderate ability in the injury prediction for women (AUC: 0.66, p= 0.02) and poor injury prediction for men (AUC: 0.40, p= 0.19). However no satisfying cut-off score could be determined for any gender due to poor sensitivity and specificity. The logistic regressions revealed the Deep Squat (DS) to be significant for women (p= 0.03, OR= 0.2). CONCLUSION: The FMS is frequently cited as a useful screening tool for subsequent injury. In this regard, cut-off values are used to identify persons at high risk for injury. The DS was the only significant single item for women in this study, but had no strong prediction effect. Results of this study cannot provide solid gender-specific recommendations for the use of the FMS composite score or single items as an injury screening tool for German physical education and sports science students.

Combining physical performance and Functional Movement Screen testing to identify elite junior Australian Football athletes at risk of injury.

The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and physical performance testing are often suggested to be related to sports injury risk. This study explored if the combination of FMS and physical performance testing improved identification of non-contact injury risk over FMS testing alone in an elite junior Australian football cohort. Over a 3-year period, 573 players completed pre-season injury history questionnaires, FMS, physical performance testing (20-m sprint, vertical jump, planned agility testing, and shuttle run test), and subsequent in-season injury surveillance. Results: Neither previous injury or FMS score <14 were related to an increased risk of subsequent injury in isolation. The combination of FMS composite score ≤14 and previous injury moderately increased the risk of injury (Hazard ratio [HR]=2.22 [1.09-4.54]). None of the physical performance measures improved the ability to predict injuries based on FMS composite score. FMS asymmetry was only associated with injury when combined with previous injury and vertical jump performance. Players with ≥1 FMS asymmetry and history of previous injury experienced a large increase in injury risk when vertical jump was poor (HR=4.26 [1.35-13.42]) or good (HR=3.17 [1.08-9.29]). Players with a combination of a good vertical jump, no previous injury, and no FMS asymmetries were also at moderately increased risk of injury (HR=3.41 [1.11-10.42]). No physical performance tests improved the ability to identify non-contact injury risk using an FMS composite score threshold. However, a U-shaped relationship between vertical jump and injury risk was identified with both poor and good vertical jump height associated with a moderate-large increase in non-contact injury risk in the presence of ≥1 asymmetrical FMS sub-test.

Functional Movement Screen Items Predict Dynamic Balance Under Military Torso Load.

Musculoskeletal injuries threaten military readiness and impose a significant financial burden. The functional movement screen (FMS), a 7-item, preparticipation screening tool, may aid in identifying compensatory movement patterns that can hinder physical performance and lead to injuries in active-duty military personnel. The primary aim of our study was to determine if items scores from the traditional FMS or a modified FMS (mFMS) obtained under loaded conditions can predict dynamic balance scores while wearing a military load. Thirty physically active adults (19 males and 11 females) who qualified for Army basic training completed unloaded and loaded FMS testing. Loaded balance was assessed using the Y balance test and the Biodex balance system. The mFMS and both loaded balance assessment protocols included a military load consisting of a standard issue rucksack (M.O.L.L.E.), kevlar helmet, and weighted vest (mass=24.2kg). mFMS item scores were significantly lower than FMS scores for six of the seven movement items. Both FMS and mFMS composite scores were correlated with Y balance scores (FMS: r=0.53, P=0.003; mFMS: r=0.37, P=0.043). Participants with higher composite scores (≥15) outperformed those with lower composite scores (≤14) for the FMS (P=0.006, d=1.16) and mFMS (P=0.031, d=0.75). Lasso penalized regression analyses revealed that (1) higher unloaded in-line lunge subscores predicted better Y balance scores, (2) loaded trunk stability push-up scores of three predicted worse balance on the Biodex, and (3) unloaded and loaded shoulder mobility scores of 3 predicted better performance on the Biodex balance system. The in-line lunge subscore from the FMS was the strongest predictor of torso-loaded balance, and the FMS may be more appropriate than a torso-loaded FMS battery when predicting torso-loaded balance among adults with body composition and fitness profiles similar to those of entering military recruits. These findings provide evidence supporting the use of the conventional FMS to identify active-duty personnel who exhibit greater balance deficits and may develop related musculoskeletal injuries while performing operational tasks that require the transport of heavy loads over long distances.