Use of Functional Movement Screen Scores to Predict Dynamic Balance in Physically Active Men and Women

Scudamore, EM, Stevens, SL, Fuller, DK, Coons, JM, and Morgan, DW. Use of functional movement screen scores to predict dynamic balance in physically active men and women. J Strength Cond Res 33(7): 1848-1854, 2019-The primary focus of this study was to determine whether scores obtained from the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) can predict dynamic balance in young, healthy adults. Thirty-four physically active participants completed the FMS, and balance was assessed using measures of composite reach (CR) distance and overall stability indices (OSI) derived from Y Balance and Biodex Balance System testing, respectively. Results indicated that higher overall FMS scores were associated with better CR and OSI, and participants with FMS composite scores greater than 14 exhibited better CR compared to those with composite scores less than or equal to 14. In addition, lasso penalized regression demonstrated that (a) scores of 2 on the deep squat and 3 on the trunk stability push-up movements predicted a greater CR and (b) higher shoulder mobility scores and a rotary stability score of 3 predicted better OSI. We conclude that dynamic balance in young, active men and women can be predicted by specific FMS item scores.